Build, Upgrade, and Repair Your Computer: Revised and Updated Edition [Revised and Updated] 1581603568, 9781581603569

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Build, 4

Upgrade H

' «s\

and Repair Your Computer

*

ii-Vit

Build, Upgrade,

and Repair Your Computer

To

my

son, Tony,

To Linda Kay,

who co-authored this who makes all things

manuscript, possible,

and To Sedona, Arizona, the achievable

goal.

-

Build,

Upgrade }

and Repair Your Computer — ^

nnnminiiiiir

jiiiiui

r—

Paladin Press

•

Boulder, Colorado

Build,

Upgrade and Repair Your Computer: Revised and Updated Edition ,

by Mike and Tony Harris Copyright ® 2002 by Mike and Tony Harris

ISBN 1-58160-356-8 Printed in the United States of America

Published by Paladin Press, a division of Paladin Enterprises, Inc.

Gunbarrel Tech Center 7077 Winchester Circle Boulder, Colorado 80301 + 1.303.443.7250

USA

Direct inquiries and/or orders to the above address.

PALADIN, PALADIN PRESS, and

the "horse head" design

are trademarks belonging to Paladin Enterprises and registered in United States Patent

and Trademark

All rights reserved. Except for use in a review,

portion of this book

may be

Office.

no

reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the publisher. Neither the author nor the publisher assumes

any responsibility

for the

use or misuse of

information contained in this book. Visit

our

Web

site at

www.paladin-press.com

Table of

Contents Introduction

Chapter

1

1:

Computer Talk Chapter

5

2:

Computer Cost and Performance Chapter

23

3:

Shopping

for a

Computer

31

Chapter 4: Designing Your

Computer and System

59

Chapter 5: Software Selection

73

Chapter 6: Getting

87

Chapter

It

7:

Keeping Chapter

When

Together

It

New

113

8:

Things

Go Wrong

119

Chapter 9: Diagnostic Software

127

Chapter 10:

Other Things You Need

135

Appendix A: Computer Magazines Appendix B: Resources on the World Wide Web Appendix C: Catalogs v

141

147 157

Warning This book is intended to assist people who want to understand, build, repair or upgrade an IBM-compatible computer, but it is not intended as the sole source of information on this subject. This book supplements other available information, and you are urged to read all available material and tailor the information presented here to your unique needs. For more information, check your local library and the book section of your local

computer retailer. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information presented. The author, publisher, and distributors have no liability or responsibilities to any person with respect to any loss or damage caused, directly or indirectly, by the projects described in this book.

VI

Preface This book has been enjoyable to put together and I hope you get satisfaction from reading it. More importantly, I hope this book opens a door for you, as building my first computer did for me. It always seemed to me that the price for a computer was about 30 percent out of my reach. One day, I found out I had the capability to build a computer, and suddenly I could afford one. This book represents everything I have read on the subject; everyone I have talked to or learned from has contributed. It is only a small subset of the knowledge available on computers, but it is the most important information for the new computer builder to know. There are few books that actually instruct you how to put together a computer, and none that walk you through the process with the depth this book presents. I have listened to about 100 computer builders and people who upgrade their own systems, and they agree with me that the text and pictures in this book accurately convey the process. The examples of systems I included are a great reference for anyone not sure of the exact configuration they desire.

— Mike

Harris

[email protected]

VII

Introduction You purchased this book to learn how to evaluate your computer requirements and build, upgrade, or purchase a computer to meet your exact needs. Believe it or not, if you decide to go forward you have already performed the most difficult part of the task. Most people have the misconception that a computer is internally similar to a television set and the mere mention of opening the cover conjures up visions of unspeakable horror. The greatest fear is wondering if the darn thing will ever work again when (if?) you ever get it back together. A look through this book will quickly put those myths to rest. If you can operate a Phillips-head screwdriver and follow instructions, you can build the most complicated PC. This book profiles the IBM-compatible PC and covers the options and variations of the basic computer. It describes software, hardware, and interconnection possibilities as well. You will learn about the spectrum of add-on items that you can easily install to customize your computer to cover your special needs. Learning how to upgrade and customize gives you the power to keep your system current, so these two areas are covered extensively. Many people have asked me if building a Pentiumplatform computer is much harder than creating a simple (and obsolete) 486-based system. The truth is that a Pentium system, or any currently available processor considerably simpler to build than its ancient predecessors were. The plug and play features in the platform,

is

l

2

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

new motherboard BIOS make

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

a blazing-fast

system just as simple to build as the barebones systems of a few years ago. (BIOS is the instruction set built into the motherboard that allows the motherboard to recognize the addon components you will install later.) This is why this book was written— to regardless of which processor or system speed you choose, the actual assembly is exactly the same. The only variables are the number and configuration of optional add-on components. Let's talk about complexity again. I built my first computer in 1986 with a number two

demonstrate

that

Phillips screwdriver, a small slot screwdriver,

a

medium

slot screwdriver, a

small pair of

standard pliers, and a small pair of tweezers. Last month I assembled a Pentium 4 1GHz computer in about 20 minutes with only these tools and saved about $1,000 or so compared to the best nationally advertised system with similar components. Now seems a good time to mention a veryimportant feature that makes building or upgrading the IBM-compatible computer significantly easier than in years past. Plug and Play (PnP) is the current standard built into hardware devices and add-on components and is the current standard in Windows. It is a set of hardware recognition instructions residing on the motherboard that allows the motherboard to

up the hardware, i.e., the modem card that you choose and install set

or video

in

your

computer. This single standard revolutionized the computer industry by severely reducing the hardware and software conflicts that installing new hardware once caused. When I built my first computer, I had to manually configure each item with a unique interrupt request address (IRQ). There are 16 different addresses available, but no two items can have the same IRQ. Many add-on

components must

also

have a unique direct

•

2

tweezers came in handy for setting the switches on the components before installation. Fortunately the newer components don't require this level of attention.

When

I

built

my

Pentium 4

were PnP, so the

all

the items

time I turned it automatically configured everything. The record of each and IRQ setting configured by the PnP BIOS was saved, either on the motherboard or on each item installed

first

the computer on

DMA

installed.

The beauty

of this system

is

depending on the complexity of the computer, one may never have to worry about DMA or

IRQ conflicts. PnP in Windows goes one step further and configures —or specifies configurations for set— on items not PnP compatible. The first time Windows runs, it maps each installed item for conflicts and notifies you if there is a conflict that you must manually correct. The correction normally involves setting a component's jumper or switch to a

you

to

PnP is a true blessing for the beginning computer builder or anyone different setting.

interested in upgrading, and will eliminate

hours of frustration. Somewhere along the line you

may

yourself the big question, "What do

I

doing?" followed immediately by the statement, "I can't possibly build a computer!" Ignore such concerns and let me show you how easy it can be. Building instead of buying will save you a ton of money, and the experience will enable you to repair your PC and successfully upgrade to keep it current, if you wish. Many people I know are satisfied with their existing computer but would like a larger hard drive or

perform upgrades yourself will save you even more money since some retailers would rather sell you a new computer than provide the information you need to perform a simple

more memory. The

ability

to

memory

help you understand exactly a computer before you spend a dime. people just need a basic system for

without

it

passing through

the CPU.) When I began building my first computer, I had to be certain that each item was unique in its IRQ and settings. My

DMA

I

am

upgrade.

to a device

ask

think

access (DMA) setting. (DMA is method of transferring data from main

memory

that,

One

book is what you want

of the objectives of this

to in

Many word

processing and running a few games, while

3

•

INTRODUCTION

those writing programs or performing operations with complex graphics, for instance, will require a more sophisticated and powerful system.

A

couple of authors that I've read advise the buyer to purchase the most expensive computer that he or she can possibly afford. I have to disagree with that philosophy. I believe you should understand your computer needs right now and make an educated guess at your future needs; however, don't make any projections past three years, as technology advances can cloud up our crystal balls. Build the computer you want now and upgrade

memory, speed, and other functions as required to satisfy your advancing requirements. This realistic and cost-effective storage,

approach will not put you in the poorhouse. With the help of this book you can determine what kind of computer you want, purchase and successfully assemble the hardware, and install the software. When you finish you will have the system you need and hundreds of extra dollars in your pocket. This book also covers upgrades for improved performance on older machines in easy-to-read language and with sufficient detail to let you easily master the task. Included are tips and basic troubleshooting techniques used by experts to repair and tune up computers and peripherals.

ABOUT MIKE HARRIS

•

3

You might have noticed and related products are

I

I

I

director and engineer for a specialized engineering company, one of many involved in designing the next generation of digital communications equipment. We specialize in high-speed fiber optic communications links between computers.

computers

in a constant state of

revision and improvement. The computer industry is always trying to convince the public that year-old products are obsolete! My interest in computers and instrumentation control software presses me to constantly update my computer hardware and software knowledge. One of the required parts of my job is to be just ahead of technological advances in the computer field. This spills over into my personal life, and my primary hobby is designing and building

computer systems. On this subject, I serve in an advisory or consulting capacity with several progressive firms specializing in IBMcompatible hardware and software. I have upgraded and repaired more than 1,000 computers

at this writing.

my

IBM-compatible computer an engineering aid and typewriter. Saving money was high on my list of priorities, and by building my own computer I saved about $1,400. Recently, when I built my Pentium 4, I saved about the same percentage— around $2,000. Needless to say, I was quite astounded by the savings. I

built

first

in the early 1980s to use as

Today, due to the simplicity of design, a

computer can be built by anyone with a modicum of dexterity and a bit of patience. Knowing this and realizing how much money you can save by building your own system, I made the decision to share my 25 years of computer and

Who am and why did write this book? am currently a business development

that

electronic experience with you.

To confirm that the information presented in this text could help nearly anyone build a computer, I ran tests. The details are in the text but to recap briefly, I took as subjects a lawyer, an assistant manager from a local convenience store, a young marine, and a computer-illiterate author.

With

this book, all

were successful

building or upgrading their computers.

in

I

1 Computer Talk This chapter covers the computer dialect used in the industry today. The buzzwords can be the most confusing

and intimidating aspect of computer shopping, primarily since the computer terms are the salesperson's best tool to

gauge the customer's knowledge. This chapter gives

the reader a compass to safely navigate the sales pitches

and serves as a tool to determine exactly what your computer requirements are. Readers tell me that the single

most intimidating part of a computer

sales pitch

is

getting past the computer-related terminology.

The following

commonly

measurement units the computer terms you will

tables display the

applied to

learn next.

5

6

•

BUILD, UPGRADE, AND REPAIR

COMMON MEASUREMENT TERMS

YOUR COMPUTER

section often.

Kilobyte

KB

1,024 bytes

MB

1,024 kilobytes

Gigabyte Terabyte

GB

1,024 megabytes

TB kHz

1,024 gigabytes

about.

1,000 hertz,

bit

286 — This

or cycles per second

MHz

Megahertz

1,000 kilohertz

Gigahertz

GHz

1,000 megahertz

Terahertz

THz

1,000 gigahertz

COMPUTER DATA BY PROCESSOR TYPE

6

will probably have to refer back to this

Megabyte

Kilohertz

•

is

AT (advanced much

the original

technology) computer you hear so It

was

quantum

a

computers preceding

The

leap from the 8-

it.

IBM 286

introduced in 1984 had an 80286 microprocessor and the capability of addressing 16 MB of RAM. The most common processor speed original

was 12 MHz. I built and was pleased to

a

non-IBM equivalent

get an

AMD

MHz

16

clone processor.

CPU

SPEED

BUS BITS

MEMORY

CACHE

XT

(8086)

80286 80386

486/5X86

6X86/PENT.

Pentium 4 Athalon

(Yes!

MHz MHz 16-40 MHz 25-133 MHz 60-233+ MHz 4.7-10

8

640

6-25

16

16

32

4

1-2+ 1-1.4+

GHz GHz

KB

MB

GB 4 GB 4 GB

32 64

64-100 +

1

64-100 +

1

The Pentium 4 and Athalon are

TB TB

in a class

0/0

KB KB 8 KB/256 KB 16 KB/512 KB 0/64

0/128

32 KB/5 12

32KB/512

16-bit internal and data bus made machines slugs by comparison, and the 80287 math coprocessor made this the high-speed machine of its time.

The

the

int/ext

KB KB

by themselves.)

XT

386 — The 386 was

the

first

home

processor in

computers to break the 32-bit barrier. The 386SX had an 80386 processor with a 32bit internal

386DX 32

and

The

16-bit external bus.

increased the external data bus to

bits.

The SX processor ran

at

25

MHz

and

DX

clocked in at 33 MHz for the Intel version, with the most common clones the

BUZZWORDS AND THEIR MEANINGS Electronic terminology in general and computer-related buzzwords in particular can be confusing, misleading, and even incomprehensible. This chapter exposes you to most of the commonly used terms and provides definitions. After you finish this chapter, you will be able to communicate with anyone regarding any computer topic. These terms by no means represent the entire working glossary of the computer industry, but they are the

common

descriptions

most users and sales personnel are familiar with. You will be more capable of describing your needs and determining whether or not the salesperson is competent enough to help with them after reading this chapter. This glossary of terms and definitions is a good start on the road to computer literacy. It is

placed in alphabetical, not historical, order.

As you go through the chapters

to follow,

you

running to

at

40 MHz.

The addressable memory size expanded 4 GB and a new 80387 math coprocessor

was introduced. An SX version came out

coprocessor also

of the

of the closet.

486 — The 486 family of computers

is still

alive

today due to outstanding performance. nobody builds the 80486 Since microprocessor anymore, 5x86, Pentium, and 6x86 computers are replacing the 486 as the supply dwindles.

The 486SX computers house the 80486SX microprocessor. It is a 32-bit internal

and external bus microprocessor

running 25 MHz.

A 486SX2 computer

boasts the faster

80486SX2 microprocessor, which runs twice the SX speed due to doubling the microprocessor clock. Computers at

MHz

are not this configuration.

with 50

uncommon with

The 486DX family added an

8

KB

7

COMPUTER TALK

•

internal cache to the

SX

math coprocessor was

also included within

The

processors.

A 486DX computer

has an 80486

which can move out

at

50

MHz. The 486DX2 computers upgrade the processor to a 80486DX2 microprocessor running up to 66 MHz. The clock doubling technique utilized for the SX2 processors was used to double a 33 MHz clock to give the DX2 the 66 MHz clock speed. Someone found

a

way

to

quadruple

clock speeds and build faster processors, so the

486DX4 computer became

a reality.

The

most common processor speeds in this line are the 100 MHz and 120 MHz systems, and I have seen a 133 MHz processor.

8086 — The IBM computer had

to

start

somewhere. This was the processor of choice at the time. With an 8087 coprocessor, 640 KB of RAM and a 10-MB hard drive, this was the premier home computer for some time. If you opened an IBM PS/2 computer, this is what you would see. This processor supported 8 bits externally and 16 bits internally, and could address 1 MB of RAM. It ran at a smoking 10

MHz.

8088 — This

and external version into most of the of the 8086 found its IBM XT computers. With the capability to address 1 MB of RAM and operate up to 10 megahertz, this system was the computer most people bought for home use. 8 bit internal

way

AGP — Accelerated graphics port video a proprietary bus structure

cards use

and provide

improvements on 3-D video performance. They work in hand with the significant

MMX instruction unheard

set to

provide previously

controllers are both adapters. So

is

a video

add-in card.

Adapter— An adapter connects two pieces hardware and translates one form

of

of

to the other. It

can be an

DB25

to a parallel

interface cable such as a

printer cable, a 9 to 25-pin adapter for use

with a mouse, or an add-in card whose purpose is connecting the motherboard bus to another device, like a

hard

motherboard

to the devices

you wish

to

operate with your computer. The video card, for example, connects the video monitor to the CPU through the motherboard. The sound card is an adapter that takes digital signals

and connects them

to

from programs

your speakers after

processing them.

Address — Everything connected

to

your

computer via an add-in card has a unique address

address to

an input or output device. This how your computer knows where

if it is

is

send data or where

Memory

to receive information.

locations are also addresses.

Programs use memory addresses to find stored information to retrieve and process. Addresses can be hardware addresses for a physical device or software data

addresses in memory on a computer. The microprocessor treats them all the same.

ANSI — The American

National Standards

This group controls specifications for many industrial applications, including the computer industry. The standards for displaying information, screen color, and

Institute.

positioning are part of this discipline.

The ANSI. SYS

driver

is

often loaded as

CONFIG.SYS file. If it is loaded, your computer can respond correctly to ANSI commands in the programs you execute. This DOS command is seldom seen in the Windows 98 a line in your

environment of today. agency that provides software rental is often called an application service provider. They provide subscription

ASP — An

services for applications that they maintain

of graphics speed.

connection

7

Add-in card — Add-in cards connect the

the microprocessor.

microprocessor,

•

disk.

The SCSI and IDE hard-disk drive

and keep current, and access is generally over the Web. Primary users are the businesses that are here today and gone tomorrow and do not wish to purchase anything that must be liquidated later. Actionable — Once only a legal term, it now means anything you can take action on. "Looking at your to-do list, these two items are actionable."

8

•

BUILD, UPGRADE, AND REPAIR

Amazon-ized — A Web-based

—

Application An application is a program or programs designed to execute a particular operation. For example, a

word processor

an application designed to perform writing, editing, spell checking, and is

publishing functions.

— Spam directed against politicians in

most

politicians are unable to read or

counterpart in the original AT-compatible. This

who need

know

to

is

a

AT

computer, it for buyers

must

the cloned programs

and accessories are compatible with their computer or add-on device. IBM compatible is another way of describing compatibility.

AUTOEXEX.BAT -This is one principal DOS configuration Programs that

set

up hardware or

of the files.

allocate

memory

blocks often utilize it. You can use an ASCII editor, such as the DOS edit command, to add lines of code or change

parameters in this

file.

The AUTOEXEC.BAT of code within

it

file

and

all lines

are executed in order of

applications may be sensitive to the order in which commands appear in this file. The most important feature of this file is the ability to set the path statement. This is where paths are created to directories containing executable code. Commands

appearance.

c:\norton,

name DOS error message and

file

the

screen would be laughing at you behind your back. BAU — Business as usual. Very commonly used in e-mail correspondence. Unlikely to be found in any intelligent discourse

Backbone provider — The

larger

companies

that provide leased Internet access to Internet service providers.

Bandwidth — This common

understand the English language.

AT-compatible — If a peripheral or computer provides the basic function as its is

8

otherwise.

order to change their opinions. Ineffective, since

•

Without a DOS path to the directory you would get a bad command or

retailer has just

taken over your industrial niche. You have just been Amazon-ized.

Astroturf

YOUR COMPUTER

Some

can be executed anywhere in your if a path command to the

computer

engineering term has been redefined as the speed at which data can be transferred electronically from the Internet-based application into our computer. This data rate is determined primarily by your method of connection,

whether

it is

modem,

Barn raising— This

is

cable, or

DSL.

problem accomplished by

a type of

resolution that is dragging everyone not doing anything from

company functions. Base address — Everything has a starting point. The first location in memory where all

program resides is the base address of the program. Installed hardware devices also a

have a base address.

Batch files-Like the AUTOEXEC.BAT file mentioned above, DOS recognizes filenames ending in .BAT as batch files. These files are normally ASCII files written by the computer user to make life easier.

you have an antivirus program and wish to run it occasionally but do not want to waste a path statement to the directory antivir on a program operated only once or twice a month, you can enter the DOS editor by typing: For example,

executable code exists.

edit clean.bat

For example, you exit Windows. You are in the d:\windows directory on a two hard disk In your system. AUTOEXEC.BAT file, a path statement has the following line: path = c:\norton You type the command sysinfo, a Norton Utilities Version 8 DOS utility program.

The start

file

if

clean.bat will be created.

Now

typing the commands.

cd

c:\antivir

The

first

command changes

working directory

your

to c:\antivir.

f-prot

This will execute an anti-virus program called f-prot.

9

Now

follow the

•

COMPUTER TALK

DOS

edit screen and exit the editor. This is a simple batch program, but it will execute automatically if you type the command clean followed by the enter key. BBS — Bulletin board services exist worldwide for your enjoyment. Not to be confused with the Internet, a bulletin board is normally a single computer or system you can dial up and obtain shareware from or a place where you can engage in chat

commands

to save the file

BBSes became popular long before the Internet as a

way groups could share Many companies

and information. keep an open BBS

to allow

you

files still

to get the

software updates and information.

One magazine that lists national BBS numbers every other month is the Computer Shopper, P.O. Box 51020, Boulder,

CO

80321-1020.

Below zeroes — This is the customer that costs you immeasurable resources while yielding nearly nothing in financial return for

your company.

Bench — Biological

This has become a commonly used phrase in the communications and electronic industry.

The

assets.

manager

needs additional resources to finish a task on time will say, often in vain, "We need bench to wrap up on time." Betamaxed — When the best technology falls victim to second best, primarily due to better marketing of number two, product one has been betamaxed. BIOS — You will see this term used repeatedly office

throughout system

is

— The

bit,

or Binary digiT,

is

the building

information transmitted to or from any element in a computer. A bit can be a 0 or a 1, where 0 and 1 are opposite block for

all

Computers communicate by building bytes consisting of 8 bits, and grouping the bytes in groups of two or more called words. Bluetooth — Aimed at unifying computing and logic states.

telecom industries, Bluetooth

is

a

method

of

connection that uses wireless technology to eliminate cabling between hardware devices.

groups.

latest

Bit

9

•

this

the

that

book. The basic input/output where your configuration

ROM

platform resides and is the first code to run when you turn on a computer. The BIOS (pronounced "buy-ose") sets

up hardware and software addresses and is the software interface between different devices in youi computer. BIOS exists on your motherboard (and occasionally video adapters and other add-in cards) and provides interface services to and from the motherboard and these peripherals.

The wireless connection

is

established

through low-frequency radio signals. (Use of this technology is royalty-free, so count on it

becoming increasingly

Boot — The

popular.)

act of initialization a

computer

undergoes when you first turn it on is called "booting up." The BIOS starts the boot process and performs basic initialization.

The

CMOS memory

then executes

configuration information to identify the

your computer and perform basic tests on memory and other components as specified in CMOS setup.

hardware

in

Finally,

the

initialization

files

CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT and any other configuration

files

are run to set

up

components not specified in BIOS or CMOS. Normally, programs modify configuration files so the programs know what hardware exists and can use it. This process occurs as the programs are being installed for the first time. The computer is ready for use after this process is complete.

Broadband — This technology

allows multiple

channels of voice, data, and/or video to be simultaneously broadcast over the Internet. BSOD Blue Screen of Death, aka Nightmare 101. You have just done something Windows doesn't like, so the screen suddenly goes blue and you are left with a

—

cryptic message outlining

(and

it

Bus— This

what

to

do next

never works).

is the pathway used by signals data to travel to and from microprocessor and all add-in cards accessories in your computer. The

and the

and bus

transmits signals to control the video, disk,

— 10

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

and I/O operations, connects the memory and the processor, and is used by programs to control all the above hardware elements. Bus type is a primary reason some computers are faster than others. An 8-bit bus handles 8 lines of data simultaneously, and a 64-bit bus can handle 8 groups of 8 lines in the same amount of time. Imagine a ribbon cable, like the hard drive interconnecting cable. The the cable, the

more wires

in

more data can be processed

simultaneously.

Byte — In computer bits of

lingo, a byte is a

group of 8

computer information. The byte

most common method

to express

is

the

memory

hard disk capacity, and file size. A kilobyte is 1,024 bytes of information, often called a KB, or Kbyte. A megabyte is 1,024 million bytes of information, often referred to as MB or Mbyte, and the primary measurement unit of hard drive, floppy disk, and memory size,

capacity.

A

measurement scheme is the gigabyte, which is 1,000 MB of information or capacity. With 10-GB SCSI hard drives becoming obsolete, there will be another step in memory measurement coming soon: the terabyte. Hard disks of 100 MB have become the standard in many new systems, both recent addition to the

purchased and custom-built. Capsizing — This applies to the famous fiberoptic industry's process of constantly downsizing companies without reducing workload. Eventually the company dies a

CGA— This

was the

IBM

color graphics adapter in

The monitor and adapter combination was capable of 320x320 resolution and 16 colors, along the

first

You, being significantly smarter than they hope, will use your own start page for Internet access.

CISC — Complex PCs

fit

CPU

instruction set computer.

color systems.

which the handle as many as 200 RISC (reduced instruction set

instructions.

computer) systems, used by workstations and some PCs, handle fewer instructions. Cisco— Think outside the box (router) for a moment. Cisco has embedded themselves into every aspect of telecommunications, including wireless, fiber, and everything to do with the Internet. Bet you thought

was a monopoly... CMOS — Complimentary metal Microsoft

oxide semiconductor is a process for integrated circuit manufacture. The devices are normally low power consumption, and ideal for battery operation. This makes them usable in portable computers or laptops. Two devices in your computer continue operating even when the power is turned off and the plug is removed from the wall socket. When properly set, the CMOS clock runs off the small battery on the motherboard, keeping the correct date and time. CMOS setup, a Speaking of programmable integrated circuit saves the information you enter into the CMOS setup program and reuses it each time you turn on your computer. This device also runs off the small battery. When you operate the

computer, the battery is recharged. Cockroach This can be a little problem that, upon further research, is actually the tip of

—

It is

your system. Command line and command prompt When you turn on your computer your

command prompt

you enter a

target practice.

the boot process). This portal. To define

portal, consider that many Web sites consider themselves to be portals into the Internet.

They hope you

will set

them

as

your default method of Internet access.

was damage to

often a virus that

detected after doing significant

with rudimentary text support. If you have one of these around its best current use is

Chortal — A Chinese Web

Most

into this category, in

can

the iceberg.

horrible painful death.

10

•

screen displays a

(unless

program automatically during is

the

first

character

on the command line. When you characters appear after the the type, string

prompt. The configured.

command prompt can be your in A line

AUTOEXEC.BAT

file

could read:

.

11

prompt = $P$G This would give

you

•

COMPUTER TALK

prompt

a

designating the drive letter followed by the

current path.

you were

If

directory on the

first

system, the prompt

in the

hard drive

would

in

Now

for

programs break the 640 KB

your

Programs such

push some

be:

an enjoyable and easy to read I have a prompt line in my

DOS,

file

that looks like this:

prompt = $e[0;37;44m$P$G This gives

your

A

me

must

a blue screen with white

for this option is a line in

CONFIG.SYS

file

reading:

device = ANSI.SYS

The special characters

in this

command

are available in the version 6.0 or later manual.

The command commands you type

CONFIG.SYS — This which

CMOS

Windows 95 and

Fortunately,

is

line

are

is

prompt

MS DOS

CPU— The

the

KB

MS-DOS memmaker also the TSR programs and

of

memory and

file,

executed after the BIOS and setup routines are processed. It

is

get

some

of

back.

main The CPU can be anything from an 8086 through a Pentium Pro and beyond. The CPU determines the bus architecture and system performance and speed. The computer's price is also determined by central processing unit is the

CPU

type. (These processors are for

IBM

and compatible computers.)

when

mass — In a

the computer industry,

program becomes feature-laden

the point that

the configuration

barrier.

device on the motherboard.

Critical

where

shown.

AUTOEXEC.BAT

the 640

other

as

drivers into upper

AUTOEXEC.BAT

letters.

computer. This reduces the maximum program size you can run under DOS.

DOS

C:\DOS > screen in

11

•

it

is

one of the embedded critical

to

useless for nearly every tasks,

it

has reached

mass.

As programmers add features, they

in order

often lose sight of the original program's

of execution. The hardware and software device drivers for video, CD-ROM, and sound add-in cards normally reside here.

purpose and seem to forget that ease of use is one of the reasons we buy software. Cube farm A cube farm is one of many

precedes the

You

file

have several lines in this file with device = These are device drivers. They control programs like will

starting

ANSI.SYS,

EMM386.EXE and

several

hardware drivers.

DOS

The

initialization

programs

embedded in WIN. INI, SYSTEM.INI, and CONTROL.INI files in the Windows directory. Controller cards — Controller cards are synonymous with adapter cards. They process data to and from the CPU. See and add-in

Conventional

card.

memory — Often

called low

640 KB of RAM your computer. DOS programs run in this portion of memory. Unfortunately, this area in memory normally houses all of the device drivers and TSR programs running around in your

memory,

this is the first

installed in

features in the

new

business scene. Offices

have been replaced by look-alike cubicles, which allows the company to maximize space utilization and headcount in spacerestricted areas.

are called out in the CONFIG.SYS file. In Windows, these files are

adapter

—

Current directory — Your current directory is the spot in your system path you are indexed to. Every operation you perform runs on files and programs in the current directory. The current directory is searched first for commands you execute, then the path statement is searched until the program you executed is found. Current disk drive If you have a prompt that displays your current directory, it probably also displays your current disk

—

you are in the root directory of the hard disk you normally boot from, your

drive. If

prompt may look

like this:

C:\ >

You can change your current disk by typing the drive

letter,

drive

followed by a

12

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

colon, then pressing the return key. Example: To change to the A drive, type A: Your current disk drive will be the A floppy disk. The prompt will change to: A:\ > Your current disk drive is the one first searched by any commands you execute. The path statement takes over afterward. Note that your computer BIOS may set different resources in your computer to be your default current drive.

Cyberslacker— An employee

that utilizes

amounts of time and computer resources in the workplace is defined as a cyberslacker. It has been determined that approximately 15 percent of all workers involved in the computer industry spend a minimum of 10 percent of their workday significant

cyberslacking.

Data

dump — "In

landing..."

the unlikely event of a water

Sound familiar? When your

computer crashes, it is unlikely that you will have a chance to save any files that were open at the time, so the data is "dumped" onto the hard disk with no file association. Some programs automatically backup work as you process data but you should periodically save your work as you progress. Defrag — This term refers to the act of defragmenting files and directories on your hard disk. When files are defragmented, they are quickly accessed. Fragmented files (meaning files scattered throughout the hard disk surface) require multiple read and access cycles from the hard disk heads to capture the file for use. This makes for a slow system, which will get slower over time. It is suggested that you run a good disk defragmentation program periodically to eliminate this problem.

Device — Hardware connected to or inside your computer is considered a device. Most devices are hardware and either accept or transmit data. A video monitor accepts data and a keyboard transmits

it.

Both are devices.

Some

software programs set drivers for virtual devices. The virtual device accepts input or gives output, but is merely a

subprogram and not hardware. This

is

common

•

12

sophisticated graphics programs, which swap output and input with other resident programs. in

Device driver — Device

drivers are pieces of

software designed to configure hardware in your computer to perform certain tasks. You will find device drivers in your

CONFIG.SYS

file.

See CONFIG.SYS.

DOS

device drivers

uses are

Some

HIMEM.SYS

AND ANSI. SYS. Diagnostic programs — These programs, discussed in Chapter 8, are tools to identify and correct problems. Diagnostic

routines range from full-blown burn-in programs that test all operational parameters of your computer, to simple

memory

test routines.

Directory— When you

first install

DOS

on

a

virgin hard disk, your first directory is created. The root directory is the first place on the hard disk programs and data are stored. The second directory is normally the DOS directory, created by your DOS installation disk to store the DOS program files. As you install other programs they often create their own directories, or folders, to store the files required to run.

A DOS down

tree,

system

file

is like

an upside

with each branch representing

and the root directory As you add programs, branches

a different directory at the top.

grow on

Why limit

the tree.

have directories?

on how

many

root directory. files,

you

If

may

directories. If

files

First,

there

is

a

can exist in the

you have 512 or fewer never need any sub-

you have 513 files, forget it. have more than 512 files.

Many programs

Second, for organization of files within programs, directories and subdirectories are necessary. If each program has its own

area to store information, identical filenames will not be overwritten. Disk — A magnetic medium that rotates on a spindle with read and write heads hovering over it. Refer to the next two entries for information on the two primary types: hard disks and floppy disks.

13

Disk, hard

•

COMPUTER TALK

— Hard disks are multiple magnetic

with a handful of read and write heads added, all sealed up in an enclosure with a circuit board for cache and sector platters

translation attached.

This

an oversimplification, but a good analogy. The reason hard disks are is

sealed in a very clean

amount

medium

is

the small

between the heads and The smallest dust particle would jam between a head and one disk platter of area

platters.

surface, destroying your recently installed

DOOM

2

program. (Hard disks are

discussed in detail in Chapter 1.) Diskette Floppy diskettes are removable storage media that consist of a single magnetically coated vinyl platter installed in a jacket. The drive for a floppy disk has a spindle that spins the floppy disk and read/write heads to transfer data to and from the floppy diskette.

—

Floppy diskettes are the most common to transfer data to other computers.

way

Disk controller — A disk controller is the IDE or SCSI interface between the hard disk and floppy disk drives and the CPU. It can be an add-in card or built-in circuitry on the motherboard.

DMA — Direct

one way to transfer data between computer memory and a hardware device installed in the computer. DMA does not require CPU involvement, making the process

memory

extremely fast. DOS disk A DOS disk

—

access

is

•

13

input/output devices are written and developed into a complete operating system package. (DOS recognizes commands typed in both upper and lower case. I mix upper and lower case in commands all the time, but many programming tools do not. Be careful.) DOS boot diskette — A floppy diskette with the necessary DOS system files required to

DOS

launch

is

called a boot diskette.

It

may

be necessary to have one if something happens to the boot block on your hard drive. A boot disk is an invaluable tool. The DOS manual describes how to make one for yourself.

Dot-com — This

a virtual

is

company with no

doors, windows, furniture, etc.

lives in

It

the

domain

VC

(venture capitalist) money. After

of the Internet

up the money,

it

dies

and consumes

to their

eats

and leaves the once-

millionaires that invested in

penny

it

without a

it

name.

Drip irrigation — When you computer store be exposed

the

visit

for the first time

you

will

to this method of salesmanship, in which the salesman gives a customer just enough information to lead him to buy the most expensive thing the store has to sell. Hopefully with the aid of

book you will be able to set the sales personnel aside and shop for what you want, not what they want you to buy. Drive — The assembly that transports a floppy diskette, or the entire hard disk drive this

A

one that has been

assembly

is

formatted and one that can be utilized for data storage and retrieval on a DOS-based system.

CD-ROM

transport system or tape transport

is

DOS

DOS memory — DOS

memory

considered the first 640 KB of addressable memory in your computer. See conventional memory. It holds is

boot data, programs, and system information. DOS The disk operating system is software written to perform on a specific type of

—

often referred to as a drive.

system shares the same designation.

Dual

Data

Rate

RAM — The

computers use dual data Rambus-manufactured utilizes a "dual

rate

fastest

RAM

or

DRAM. DDR RAM

pumped" technique

for

increased performance. It allows data to be clocked both on the rising and falling edge of a clock pulse.

memory module— The DIMM

computer. In the case of MS-DOS, the program was written to operate on IBM and compatible PC systems.

Dual

Applications unique to the type of hard disk, monitor and adapter, file system, and

Dub-dub-dub — Short

is

in-line

memory SIMM.

a circuit board that holds

and has

a 64-bit path. See

for

chips

WWW. When

technophiles pass on URLs, they precede

14

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

with this nonsense. Obviously this is one of our many communications shortcomings. E-business Business is now conducted over the Internet in staggering amounts. More than 40 percent of my business is handled over the Internet through e-mail. E-mail Electronically transmitted mail (other than FAX transmissions) is commonly referred to as e-mail. It has far surpassed snail mail as a preferable method of intelligent communication

—

—

between mammals.

EGA — IBM

introduced the enhanced graphics

adapter to improve graphics display quality in their

computers.

EGA

offered a

medium

resolution alternative to the existing

EGA was

CGA

•

14

ENTER— The ENTER,

or carriage return key

termination of a command line. It is often called the RETURN key. Do not confuse the alphanumeric ENTER key signifies

with the numeric keypad ENTER key. In some programs they will have different functions. Normally, however, they are identical in function.

Environment — DOS amount of memory

sets aside a small to store information.

This information is available for use by other programs. Among the things in the DOS environment are the path information, prompt and set information ,

for variable definition.

ESDI — The enhanced

small devices interface

is

a

compatible with both

definition of the standards applying to the

CGA and monochrome display units. EIDE— Enhanced integrated disk electronics. A

interconnection of a type of high-speed hard disk drive. It joins the currently SCSI and IDE interface utilized

system.

newer version

of

IDE

that

is

three or four

times faster than the old IDE standard.

EISA — The extended

specifications.

standard bus or compatible PC

industry

architecture definition of the internal

structure on an IBM redefined the existing standard. It offered higher speed and more features than the ISA bus.

The

real

improvement was

definition of a

32-bit architecture completely different

from

proprietary IBM MicroChannel system; one the clone industry quickly adopted as the 32-bit standard. The software that controls use and allocation of high memory in a PC is referred to as an expanded memory manager. The specification is sometimes the

existing

and

EMM —

called

LIM,

for

its

developers, Lotus, Intel,

and Microsoft. The upper memory between the DOS memory (the first 640 KB) and 1 MB can be included in the expanded memory. The EMM sets aside 64 KB of upper memory as extended memory for certain programs to use. Extended memory usually starts at 1 MB and runs up to the amount of RAM installed on the motherboard. EMS The expanded memory specification is a standard that governs the hardware and software that comprises expanded memory. a

map

—

to the

Execute — When a program is running, it is being executed. A computer executes instruction sets when it runs software programs. An executable file is a file normally having a .BAT, .EXE, or .COM filename extension. Files like this can be executed by typing the filename without the extension, then pressing the ENTER key. Expanded memory Expanded memory is the portion of RAM set aside and managed by the EMM. This memory is normally used as a scratch pad for database and spreadsheet programs. sets aside a 64 KB portion The of upper memory between the DOS memory and 1MB. This 64 KB of memory serves as an index to the larger portion of

—

EMM

expanded memory above

1

MB. The

expanded memory size is limited only by the motherboard capacity and the amount of RAM you have installed on the system. It can be up to 1 TB in current Pentium 4 systems. Extended memory — In a 286 or higher computer, memory above 1 MB is referred to as extended memory. Disk caching is a principal use for this memory.

15

COMPUTER TALK

•

If you install H1MEM.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS file, you can set aside a 64 KB portion of extended memory for DOS and other TSR programs. Face time — This is very rare in the

telecommunications industry. It is time in front of a salesperson, serviceman, or other computer icon whose time is so valuable that you have to weed through a myriad of message buttons on your phone just to hear a real voice. In the unlikely event you actual get some face time with a

him

sales or service person, bleed

Fast-food system

been

—A

dry.

computer system

preassembled

by

that's

computer

a

manufacturer. These computers are far less

and

effective

be able

you'll

FAT — The

far

more expensive than

the one

to build after reading this book!

allocation table stores the location of each part of each file. It's how the computer finds files on the hard disk. File A file is a portion of a program or data occupying space in memory or on a disk. Some files are complete programs, but most files are data resulting from file

is

the filename extension. The extension normally describes the type of file, so applications can use it. If you look in your CONFIG.SYS file, you will see several types of DOS filename extensions. Those ending in .EXE and .COM files are ones DOS can load and execute. Filenames ending in .SYS are DOS system files and .DRV files are device

Fixed disk — This doesn't mean

Filename — The characters In a

DOS

filename

you assign

is

a group of

404 — This is the error message you when searching for a Web page,

only to

find

it

also

is

—

showing clear superiority in performance per gigahertz, quickly inquired of the buying public: "Does it work well under load? Is it robust ? Does it fit the current industry standard models?" Then they released the 2 GHz version of the Pentium 4, which finally outperformed the mere 1.4

GHz Athalon, but barely. Geek — Once measured by

the quantity of pencils in their pocket, geeks are now determined by the quantity of pocket computer interfacing gadgets they employ.

it.

system, a filename can be up to

receive

has disappeared for some reason. It used to describe someone who is clueless about the subject at hand. FUD factor Fear, uncertainty, and doubt. This is the best tactic the second-to-market has at its disposal. Intel, when besieged by benchmarks of the Athalon processor

ASCII

to a file to identify

a repaired

disk. Refer to disk, hard.

file

starting location

is

driver filenames.

identified in

allocation table, or FAT, by its and size. This way the file can be accessed, modified, or deleted as required by you or program execution. the

15

filename

—

program execution. A file stored on a disk

•

Gigabyte — A

gigabyte

is

MB of memory, Hard disk drives

1,024

eight characters with a three-character

storage, or information.

extension identifying the type of

and tape backup systems have capacities

In limit

Windows

is

file.

95, the eight-character

gone and you have

infinitely

more

this range.

GUI — Graphical

—

when

they log onto the Internet.

Filename extension — A string of one to three characters following the period in a

user interfaces (pronounced

"gooey") are not messy, as the buzzword

naming files. Filenames must be unique in the same directory, lest they be overwritten by flexibility

another application. First eyes On the Internet, it is critical to be the first Web site or portal to capture users' attention (and money). ISPs pay a lot of money to be the first thing people see

in

H

might indicate. The icons and display of your computer are your GUI. acker Someone that has refined the capabilities in the computer industry of manipulating a computer to do anything they wish, through either software or hardware, is a hacker. This is not always bad. Most hackers never create viruses or secretly enter forbidden computer space,

—

at least so

we

say...

16

BUILD, UPGRADE, AND REPAIR

•

Hang time — Occasionally you away and

for

goes to sleep. by,

and you

will be typing

some reason your computer You patiently wait, time goes

try everything imaginable to

you give the three-finger salute (ctrl + alt + del) and you meet the BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). Hardware interrupt — Interrupts alert the CPU of events requiring action. Hardware interrupts are asserted by a keyboard, get things going again. Finally,

mouse, hard disk,

inform the

etc., to

microprocessor that software interaction is requested. The action may be to open or

close a file on the hard disk, accept movement information from a mouse or input from the keyboard. Hercules Before IBM released the mediumresolution EGA system for PC color displays, Hercules Technology came out with one. To this day, most video adapters are downward compatible to the Hercules

—

called hexadecimal notation. Four bits of information, represented by the base- 16

1, 2, 4,

number

and

8,

system. The

15 "numbers" that comprise the system are

A

through F. An 8-bit byte, represented by (8 4 2 1) (8 4 2 1) represents 255 different items, 00 through FF. High memory HMA, or the high memory area, is the 64 KB area above the 1 MB address range that HIMEM.SYS creates. This area can be used by a program for storage of intermediate results during program execution. When this process occurs, you have more free DOS memory 0 through 9 and

—

available for other applications.

Host adapter — Add-in cards that interface between hardware devices, such as hard disks or video monitors, are referred to as

They process data to and from these devices and the memory, allowing the CPU to expend effort elsewhere. This speeds up execution of programs. host adapters.

IBM-compatible — If

a

computer

component provides the same function

or as

•

16

the original component in an IBM computer, the device or computer is IBMcompatible. This means the software and hardware devices will behave the same in the clone and the original

IBM

machine. IDE The integrated drive electronics standard for hard-disk control is the most popular

—

today.

It

regulates the definition of a high-

speed integrated drive and controller assembly, hence the name. An adapter to transfer data to and from the hard disk is normally integrated into the motherboard, but is also available as an add-on card. The IDE specification is part of the ATA standard. AT-Attachments is the specification used in the interface for hard disk drives to the

I/O — Input/output

is

transfer data to

IBM PC/AT

bus.

the ability of a computer to

and from

internal

and external

devices. This capability can be inherent in

both hardware and software. Video cards and

USB adapters are

format.

Hexadecimal — Unlike the standard base-10 counting system most humans use, computers often use a base-16 system

make up

YOUR COMPUTER

I/O devices.

I/O often refers to a special add-in card or function

embedded

in the motherboard.

This function controls data transfer between devices inside the computer and outside, and includes interaction with other computers through a modem or external port.

IRQ — Interrupt

requests (IRQs) are signals transferred over the bus between add-in cards and the CPU. They instruct the CPU

perform immediate action. Normally IRQ lines are asserted to request the CPU coordinate transfer of data between add in devices and memory. ISA The 8- and 16-bit bus utilized by IBM and compatible computers is the industry standard architecture bus. It can accompany a VESA or PCI system. Most computers have up to three ISA connectors to ensure compatibility with older add-in cards. Java—Java is the one programming language that migrates across computer systems. There was a time everyone thought it would give Microsoft a run for the money... Killer apps Applications that excel in one manner or another are called killer apps. Legacy system This term applies to older to

—

—

—

17

computer systems, such

•

COMPUTER TALK

as the 486,

Pentium, 386, and AT.

describes the action of setting an executable file or device driver in the upper memory area or in high memory. With this command in

your CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT file, you can specify the start memory address the command must use. Before you use this command, you must initialize a memory manager such as EMM386 or QEMM. The line to start the memory manager must precede this line in the batch

VESA

standard

(set

down by

Electronics Standard Association) is a high-speed I/O to CPU interface that maintains compatibility with the ISA standard interface. Logical devices Partitioning a large hard drive into smaller ones creates a logical device for each partition. DOS treats each partition as a physical device, not as a portion of one drive. A logical drive is a partition, as mentioned above. Other logical devices are RAM drives created in RAM and maintained by software control. Network drives are considered to be logical devices by your computer. Loopback adapter This is a special connector wired to allow you to test communications ports without actually

—

—

going online.

M-commerce — Now

phones are part of the Internet, you can change your dental appointment and reorient your stock that cell

portfolio just before rear-ending the car in

Not

for

me!

Math coprocessor — The math

computers had an expansion

is

slot

to

accommodate one if required. The math coprocessor performs all the complex math operations, allowing the to

in anything else.

MCGA — Put

simply, this refers to the multi-

color graphics array

IBM

system that was used

in

It was noted for great improved resolution over

PS/2 computers.

gray-scale and

CGA. typically of jokes and/or obscene pictures,

normally sent during work hours

perform other

tasks.

to

your

unwitting coworkers.

MDA— The

first

monochrome

IBM computers had

the

The display was either green or amber. See target display adapter.

practice.

Megabyte — A megabyte (MB)

is

1,024

KB

of

information, storage, or memory.

Megahertz — This measure of frequency is in millions of cycles per second. It is abbreviated as MHz. Clock speeds are measured

in megahertz.

Memory — Memory

any form of storage area for program use that resides in your computer. RAM, hard disks, floppies, and is

CMOS

are types of

fastest

memory

memory. So are tape cartridges or CD-ROMs. Cache is the is

in

your system, and the

the slowest.

Microprocessor — See CPU. MIDI — The musical instrument device interface is the industry standard driving the computer interface for musical devices. It specifies connections, hardware, and software protocol.

coprocessor

integrated into 486DX and all faster microprocessors for IBM and compatible computers. The 486SX, 386 and earlier

CPU

channel architecture is the IBM PS/2 computer line. It is an IBM trademark and is incompatible with all other architectures past and present in any other system. MCA systems use different adapters and add-in cards, none of which will work

floppy disk

Lower memory — See DOS memory.

front of you.

MCA — Micro

Meatloaf — Homemade spam consisting

file.

—

17

standard utilized in the

LoadHigh — This statement

Local bus The the Video

•

Mip s — Stands

for million instructions per

second.

MMX — This term refers to the

first significant

extension to the 1985-era instruction set inside the CISC processor family. The additional 57 new instructions are used to accelerate calculations in graphics and audio applications, including 2-D and 3-D graphics, speech recognition and synthesis,

18

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

and video processing and types of compression. The performance expectations are an increase of 50 to 100 percent in speed while using multimedia

programs and equipment. Intel upgraded its product line to in 1997 and released a Pentium Pro in RISC format with embedded MMX. Modem— This name is an abbreviation for the actual function of the device. The modulator demodulator is an analog to digital and digital to analog converter. The modem converts digital information from a computer to analog signals that can travel through the phone lines. It accomplishes

MMX

the reverse

upon receiving

signals

from

another computer.

Motherboard — The

heart and soul of a computer is the motherboard. Everything plugs into it and it serves as the information pathway to and from the CPU and each device connected to it. A motherboard typically has the CPU, RAM, cache, and IDE I/O function installed. Add-on functionality in the form of video support, hard and floppy disks, keyboards, and mice complete the computer. MS-DOS— Bill Gates before he became a millionaire. MS-DOS was the de facto standard in the 1980s for computer software.

Multitasking — Performing more than one operation at once

is

multitasking. This

is

normally a software process in which programs and data are quickly swapped between a reserved portion of memory and the active

memory

a microprocessor

is

using.

In a process like this, the software

how

long each operation remains on hold in reserved memory and

determines

how

long the operation gets

CPU

attention.

If you have a faster computer, you may never notice any slowdown in operation

while your computer

is

performing

multitasking operations.

The foreground process, the one you can see on the screen, is typically the one getting most of the CPU's attention. Examples of programs that use

•

18

multitasking are Windows,

Windows 9X

and DESQview.

Network — When you connect two

or

more

computers, you are establishing a network.

Networking computers is essential when multiple users must access common data and programs. The workplace is your most likely place to

encounter a network.

Network interface — An

add-in card to

between your computer and network communications hub is called interface

a a

network interface card. This add-in card

processes digital signals from your computer and sends them to a common node all other users share with you. Offline — A computer not connected to another computer, network, or the Internet.

Online services — Online services are pay-foruse BBSs with advertisements. They do, however, offer connectivity to a large number of useful and enjoyable sites. Access to shareware, electronic mail, software support, and online games and chat groups are included. America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy, and the Microsoft Network are examples of online services. Page frame — On a DOS machine, the location in memory between DOS memory and 1 MB where expanded memory is indexed is called page frame memory. Parallel I/O — Transferring data using the parallel port is extremely fast. Eight or more bits of information can be sent simultaneously using the parallel I/O port

on your computer. Data transfer rates of 100 KB are not unusual using this technique. The computer's parallel or of port is the vehicle printer transportation.

Parameter — Some commands allow you specify

how

to

the program executes. Setting

different parameters in the

command

line

does Example: pkzip -ex -rp aargh.zip b:\*.* The PKWARE program pkzip has been executed. The parameters -ex and -rp this.

specify

how

the program will be executed.

19

COMPUTER TALK

•

PC — The

first model designation IBM gave to personal computer family was PC. All personal computer manufacturers that its

made IBM compatible computers and accessories adopted this term.

The base IBM machine had 64 KB of memory, an optional tape drive instead of hard drives, and a monochrome display. Data was transferred between computers

PC-compatible— See IBM-compatible and

AT-

compatible.

peripheral component interconnect

using this interface are the video adapter and the IDE I/O cards. PCMCIA Portable computers brought with them a new specification. The Personal

—

Computer Memory Card Industry Association I/O interconnect specification is the standard for interfacing memory, disk drives, modems, and network cards to portable computers.

Pentium — This

64-bit microprocessor is capable of operating beyond 233 MHz, and contains 16 KB of instruction cache and an internal floating-point processor. It is the current mid-range processor, replacing the

Pentium

— The Pro,

instruction sets

replacement this

CPU

for

has

the

MMX

included and has the

Pentium and Pentium Pro. It is packaged more like an add-in card than a processor. Current versions run at speeds beyond 400 MHz and have L2 caches of 512 KB. Offshoots of this design included the Pentium 3 and the Pentium 4. Peripheral — A device (e.g., a scanner or printer) that is not necessary for the computer to operate is a peripheral device. Internal tape drives and CDcapabilities of the

ROMs

are peripheral devices, as are the

external versions.

drive — The hard containing your partitions

Physical

disk is

is

—

exists

and

accepting requests.

is

drive

a physical

in

memory

through which any hardware device allows is its

port address.

POST — When first

thing

POST.

it

you turn on a computer, the does

a power on self

is

test,

or

runs diagnostic routines on various hardware components as specified It

BIOS

CMOS

setup.

errors are encountered, the test provides error in

or

If

messages or beep codes, or both. Prompt — Your computer indicates when it is ready for commands by displaying a command prompt. The prompt visual indicator can be changed using the DOS prompt command as specified in your DOS manual. PS/2 IBM recently released a new version of their Personal System/2 computer. These systems had new bus and adapter designs and were the current state of the art when

—

introduced.

RAM — Random

486 of yesteryear. II

hardware, not a software managed partition on your (hardware) disk drive. The partitions on your hard drive, if any, are not physical drives. Ping Swiped from sonar technology, to ping an Internet address is to determine if it physical drive

access

standard developed by Intel specifies a very fast interface between I/O devices and the CPU. The primary add-in cards

Pentium

Your floppy drives, tape drive, and CD-ROM drive are physical drives. A

drive.

Port address — The address

using a floppy disk storage device.

PCI — The

19

•

storage

memory is computers use access

the primary to

store

intermediate results. When a program is executed, data flows into and out of RAM during the processing portion of the program. Only after all operations are performed is the data stored on a hard disk or floppy drive. is identified by its storage capacity and speed. (I have 16 MB of EDO 60 nanosecond in my computer.) must be refreshed, or repeatedly written to with the same data, in order to

RAM

DRAM

DRAM

retain information.

Cache memory

is

also

RAM. Cache

is

extremely fast SRAM, which refreshing, hence the speed. Eight nanoseconds is the average pipeline cache requires no

RAM's

speed.

20

RISC-See

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

CISC.

ROM — The ROM

memory in your one or more programmed EPROMS with setup information specific to your computer. The programs in ROM execute when you boot the computer. ROM cannot easily be (

read-only

computer consists

)

of

altered or erased.

ROM

BIOS

the set of programs loaded in the ROM. Often, certain video adapters and add-in cards may have their own ROM BIOS. is

Some computers today come with FLASH BIOS. Running a software program can change EPROM memory. This is ideal as the new BIOS is released to support more hardware devices and faster CPUs. Root directory The first directory on a hard

—

disk or floppy diskette

is

the root directory.

See directoiy. Scalable Expandable to meet future needs. SCSI The small computer system interface (pronounced "scuzzy") was the fastest thing around until the high speed IDE drives became a reality. SCSI drives still hold the size record with drives in the 10 GB range

—

—

commonplace. SCSI hard drives require a special interface to run in a PC. The interface supports many more drives than are possible with any other drive architecture. — Synchronous dynamic read-only memory is the current standard for fast computer memory. It is nearly as fast as pipeline burst cache, at lONs access speed.

SDRAM

improvements in application speed can be achieved with SDRAM installed in a Pentium 200, 200 MMX or Significant

Pentium Pro system.

the

•

20

Communication occurs through one se?-ial ports in your computer. A mouse

of or

other serial device can use the other ports.

Shadow

RAM — Many

computers

map BIOS

information into faster RAM devices to speed up various operations. The RAM locations specified in CMOS setup as shadow RAM are where this information is stored and executed. Single in-line memory module— A SIMM is a 32-bit path circuit board that holds memory chips. See DIMM.

Software interrupt — An interrupt command from a program that requires CPU attention is a software interrupt. These can occur upon completion of part of a program or when device drivers are invoked. Keyboard operations, drive access and certain timing services are available to programs as software interrupts. SRAM— Static RAM holds data until it is changed, eliminating refresh cycles. Subdirectory Any directory within another directory is a subdirectory. Therefore, all directories other than the root directory are subdirectories. Subdirectories allow programs to organize data and files by the application they are associated with.

—

Target

practice — See

EGA and

older

monitors. Take 30 paces, turn, and shoot! TSR —Terminate and stay resident programs are

programs that remain in memory so that you can easily call up applications within them with a hot key or other command. Some device drivers, for example mouse drivers and the DOS setver command, fall into this category.

Turnkey — "Just turn it on and it works." This by is the primary method utilized

per

computer system manufacturers to sell you a complete system. Since everything usually works anyway, this should not be a unique selling point for purchased systems, but it is perceived to be so. universal asynchronous UAR/T— The receiver/transmitter converts parallel bus

second, it is the most common method of interconnection between computers for

information into serial data for transfer using a modem. The device reverses the process

data transfer.

upon

I/O— Serial

data transfer occurs one hit at a time, unlike parallel I/O, which transfers one byte (8 bits) at a time. The good side of serial transfer is compatibility

Serial

with modems and existing data-transfer protocol.

Though

it

is

fairly

slow

at

115

KB

receipt of serial data

from a modem.

21

UMB — Upper available

memory blocks

are

COMPUTER TALK

•

made

by memory manager programs.

They reside

in the addressable

memory

DOS memory and 1 Mb. TSR programs and part of DOS can be placed in upper memory to free up conventional area between

memory for uP-See CPU.

USB — The

applications.

universal serial bus has

become

the

standard for peripheral interconnect. (Mine has four in front and two in back. All but two have stuff hooked up.) USB replaces standard scanner, printer, tape backup system, keyboard, and mouse connectors.

Utilities— Programs that help with routine operations like backups, virus testing, and file and hard disk testing are normally either utilities or diagnostic programs. See Chapter 8 for diagnostic programs and out for this stuff.

It is

normally doesn't work when finally released, and always falls short of expectations. Example: the first release of Windows 95. advertised before

it's

graphics array

available,

is

a high-resolution

graphics and text system that supports the previous IBM standards. It uses an analog video monitor as a display unit.

Video adapter card — This add-in card connects the video monitor with the CPU. Video adapters come in a wide range of performance and price ranges and support all

Video

21

taking the

CPU

out of the loop

when

processing video information. Video memory

can be

DRAM,

WASP — Wireless

or the faster

VRAM.

application service providers

are the service providers for the well-

endowed

cellular phone/Internet calling

card market. This industry has come to fruition with the advent of cellular phones that double as information storage and retrieval units.

Windows — The

GUI program

used was Windows. It opened up the multitasking world to me. Windows supports multiple first

I

programs sharing the same resources. Windows 9x — The latest release of Windows is Windows 9x. It has more resources available and 32-bit performance. Multitasking programs run smoothly under Windows 9x. Of course, it has been replaced by Windows 2K. (In the text of book, when I refer to Windows 9X or Windows 2K, I mean Windows 95 or 98 and Windows 2000.) Windows NT — Windows NT is the true 32-bit engine from Microsoft. It has become commonplace in power systems. Windows 2K is an offshoot. this

utilities.

Vaporware — Watch

VGA — Video

•

bus types.

memory — This

is

a great hiding place for

polymorphic viruses. It is often fast memory and speeds up graphics applications by

XMS — The

extended memory specification is the standard that defines control of any memory above DOS memory. When you load the HIMEM.SYS driver in the

CONFIG.SYS file, XMS is set up. Other memory management programs and utilities can also set up XMS. XT — This version of the IBM PC provided extended technology enabling the user to add a hard drive to the machine. Up to 256 KB of memory could be installed. ,

.

' •

'? 1

Computer Cost and Performance HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE? This is the real question, and the reason for writing book. Let's look at some sales literature... Another big sale weekend and I have the advertisements in front of me. Disregarding the this

department store advertisements because the prices

I

peruse the electronic specialty stores and computer outlets for the best current prices on see are too high,

I

several systems.

Electronics Superstore No.

1

Prepackaged complete home office system: Pentium 4, 1.7 system with 40-GB hard drive 17-inch .28 dot pitch monitor Mini-tower case 32-MB NVIDIA GeForce 2 video card

56K fax/modem 256

MB of RAM

48-speed CD-ROM and SB Live! sound card Satellite speakers 3.5-inch 1.4-MB floppy drive

Mouse and keyboard

ME (with manuals), Microsoft Money, and programs worth $20 shareware several generic Total: $1,359.99 Software:

Windows

23

24

Do

It

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

Yourself

Motherboard with Pentium 4, 1.8 Mid-tower case: 256 MB of PC-133 RAM: 3.5-inch 1.44-MB floppy drive: Internal 56K fax/modem: 104-style keyboard and three-button mouse: NVIDIA GeForce 2, 32-MB video card: 60-GB hard drive:

$319

:

17-inch digital super

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

VGA monitor

$29 $22 $10

$69 $149 $124

.27 dot pitch:

savings:

Pentium 4 chips are coming out that clock at 2 GHz and faster but realizes they are not costeffective; they should benchmark about the same as the 1.8-GHz chip when installed in a system. He goes the safe route and decides to

when

get a faster chip

prices

fall.

$15

package with Sound Blaster Live! sound card, speakers, and 10 CD-ROM titles: $79 Software: Windows, Millenium Edition: $89 Microsoft Encarta and 10 titles: $39

Your

24

$12

52X multimedia CD-ROM

Total:

•

$956 $403.99

Computer Catalog

Price

Complete audio/video/office desktop system: Pentium 4, 1.8-GHz system with 512 MB of RDRAM Mid-tower case 60-GB hard drive 17-inch SVGA monitor with .28 dot pitch 32-MB ASUS V7100 GeForce 2 video card 52X speed CD-ROM multimedia system with speakers 56K fax/modem with voice capability Mouse and keyboard Bookshelf Software: Microsoft

Windows ME,

Office 2000, Total:

$2,579.99

Bold type in the Do-It-Yourself sections indicates

components that are of higher quality than the ones available in the preassembled computers.

He comes

you gloating, informing you super sale, and you will never find a system this good for the price. It is a good price indeed, but let's just see. to

this is a one-of-a-kind

You

also get

much more software— 10

titles

with the Encarta bundle and 10 titles with the CD-ROM bundle. The important hardware improvements in your package are a better motherboard, a faster processor, a larger hard

and a faster CD-ROM drive. Remember most systems from an electronics store will not come with the best components

Do

It

Yourself

drive,

that

because it is difficult for these outlets to get good prices on high-performance components. Building your own system allows you to avoid the nightmare of chasing down a hardware conflict because of these interrupt or components. You also get a 52X CD-ROM! The superstore's offering is a fairly good price on a system, but can be beaten, and without doing a lot of running around. Now, let's look at

DMA

some more

locally advertised bargain-priced

systems and see

if

they can be beaten, too.

THE HOT-ROD SYSTEM John Q. Public just won the lottery— not enough to quit his job or buy that new Rolls, but he must reward himself somehow... The computer catalog shows a full-blown Pentium 4, 1.8 GHz computer. He knows

Motherboard with Pentium 4, 2 GHz CPU: Full-tower case (300W power supply): 512 GB of 800 MHz RDRAM: Two each, 3.5-inch 1.44-MB floppy drive: Internal 56K fax/modem: 104-style keyboard and three-button mouse: ASUS V8200 GeForce 3, 64-MB video card:

Western Digital 100-GB IDE hard 19-inch

KDS

$519 $45 $

178

$20 $12 $15

$175 $249

drive:

digital video monitor,

$193

.22 dot pitch:

52X multimedia package with Sound Blaster Live! sound card, $115 52X CDROM, 16X DVDROM (2 drives): And, optionally, add these: Altec Lansing sub-woofer and surround sound system with

five speakers:

(price

shown below) $89 Windows 2000 Professional: $189 Microsoft Office 2000 Pro with Bookshelf: Total to match John's system: $1,799 Software:

Your

Now, add

savings:

$780.99

the optional explosive speakers mentioned

$55

above: Total to blow

away John's system:

$

1,854

25

And

so once again,

with quite a

we

•

COMPUTER COST AND PERFORMANCE

beat the unbeatable price

25

3.5-inch 1.44-MB floppy drive: 104-style keyboard

margin.

bit of

•

nVidia 32-MB

$10

and three-button mouse:

AGP video

$15

$35 $29 $91

card:

52X CDROM:

40-GB hard

BEATING A BARGAIN-PRICED PENTIUM SYSTEM

drive:

SVGA monitor .28 Software: Windows ME: 15-inch

Why would

Total:

anyone want a bare-bones Pentium computer today? Ask any student who needs a computer but doesn't have $1,000 to spend. Most stores have the come-in computer priced extremely attractively. It usually does not have an upgradable processor and comes

with a minimum of bells and whistles. Here's 15a sample.

16-

Local Computer Outlet

Mini-tower or desktop Intel Celeron 900 with 64 MB of RAM inch .28 dot pitch monitor 20-GB hard drive 3.5-inch 1.44-MB floppy drive

MHz

computer

Total:

$699.99

48X CD-ROM Windows 98 pre-installed

MB RAM video card Mouse and keyboard

I wouldn't even think of buying a new system with these parameters. There are too many places that sell used systems like this for $200 to $400 as excellent starter systems. You can even find good Pentium 3 systems for around $550 if your needs are simple. Our objective now is to beat the price, with margin, while maintaining the option to easily upgrade to a faster computer later. The add-on components will also be Pentium-compatible.

We

will also include a

much

better video card

and larger hard drive as well as more RAM.

Your

The

Intel

Pentium

4, 1.5

Mini-tower case: 128 of SDRAM:

MB

It

Yourself

GHz and motherboard:

$199 $19 $13

savings:

$602

$97.99

importance isn't savings but the ability to upgrade this system later. Everything is upgradable, which means all components will work with the faster Pentium 4 processors. For example, the 2-GHz Pentium 4 is a drop-in upgrade and will hop up this system beyond current speed. If you would rather upgrade to an Athalon instead, the motherboard and processor are all you need to change since the video card and all other components are compatible. The three systems whose cost I beat are priced about 10 to 30 percent below similar systems at most retail outlets. I selected these systems for comparison pricing because nobody looks for the most expensive system when selecting a computer. By building it yourself, you will save 10 to 30 percent more than this on typical computer prices. By now you're probably convinced it is possible to build a computer and save money. I have looked at this reality several times through the years and come to the same conclusion each time. Whenever I see an advertised deal on a super system, I find it easy to beat the price by building it myself. Hence, this book. But the most important fact remains undisclosed. I have been pricing complete systems that have generic components from inexpensive The parts wholesalers. real

components

most of these preassembled systems are not what you would pick if you in

fact, when I price system to build, I use prices of components I want in my system. I purchase high-quality components that can be upgraded if possible. PnP components and current

had the choice. In components

Do

$102 $89

dot pitch:

for a

model items are the standard. My systems normally are three

to six

26

•

months more current than the stores.

in

Why?

I

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

the computers sold

buy the newest

components available at reasonable prices. Systems in most stores have been assembled and put in storage somewhere, then are purchased by the retailers in bulk. I buy components

a matter of hours before

I

build

the computer. Innovations are slow to filter into the retail computer marketplace; recent examples are for the Athalon processor and

DDR RAM RDRAM for the

Pentium

4.

The article that I wrote to local retailers and a local news group several years ago follows and explains my frustration with some computer

retail outlets.

It

is

an old example,

but representative of current issues involving

processor speed versus complete system speed. Since most currently purchasable systems do not have either RDRAM or DDR RAM installed, the article is again coming of age.

Nothing

foretells the future like the past.

THE CASE OF THE SLOW PENTIUM Nowadays, the hot thing is to buy the fastest machine on the market when you keep it from being obsolete before you reach the parking lot. There are, however, some other serious considerations often ignored by the needfor-speed crowd currently purchasing the upgrade

to

"fast" systems.

When

packaged system "upgradable," assume your up with some of the slowest

purchasing

a

designated as purchase is set components available and consider the cost of faster RAM, faster cache, and a faster video card in the projected upgrade cost. Why? Because it is not cost-effective for computer retailers to put the fastest and most expensive add-in components in their systems.

system based on processor speed alone. The benchmark data provided with this document shows why. Note the top benchmark. This is a purchased Pentium 133 MHz system compared to a Pentium 90. The difference is insignificant — certainly not worth the

Never purchase

a

significant difference in price.

•

26

The bottom benchmark compares a Pentium 120 against the same Pentium 90 tested above. This

is

the expected increase in

performance one would

like to see from a faster processor. The primary system difference is that I have set up my system

BIOS parameters for faster performance and purchased the faster pipeline burst cache memory. The 7 Ns cache memory is a necessary addition to any processor faster than 90 MHz, and is seldom provided on the cookie cutter 100 MHz and faster systems. The cost of upgrading cache

memory

The moral: Don't buy

runs about $85.

you have a clear idea of the actual performance improvement you can expect, and never buy a until

system based on processor speed alone. The Pentium 133 shown in Figure 2-1 is not really optimized, as you can see. Tested while running 32-bit applications, the primary code it was designed to run, it performs barely better than a one year old Pentium 90.

Now

look at

Benchmark

2 in Figure 2-2.

This is more like it. The computer benchmarked here is a Pentium 120. I wonder why the store-bought Pentium 133 benchmarked so poorly in the test above? We learn why upon opening the case. The Pentium 133 does not have pipeline burst has the obsolete dip cache, but the Pentium 133 is six months newer than the Pentium 120 used here. This is exactly why I build my own systems. Don't get the idea I am a supreme expert whose intuitive senses ferret out the best deals; rather, I am a horribly impatient shopper and will spend $5 more if I can avoid going to the store next door. The deals out cache!

It still

scream from every component handout and every computer magazine. (There is an extensive list of computer and trade magazines listed at the there

distributor's

back of

this book.)

BUILDING THE COMPUTER YOU WANT

We

have examined how

much can

be

saved by building our computer and found out that some packaged systems are not what they

27

•

COMPUTER COST AND PERFORMANCE

24 at

Pentium 16-

•

27

The Computer He Wanted the Best Price He Could Find on 4, 1.8

GHz

Sale

mini-tower multimedia system

128-MB RAM, 40-GB hard

drive, 3.5-inch

1.44-MB

floppy

48X CD-ROM 17- bit

drive

sound card

AGP 32-MB

video card

Speakers

Keyboard and mouse ME and MS Works

Win

inch .28 dot pitch monitor

486DX/33

386SX/16

Figure 2-1.

Benchmark

Pentium 90

Your System

56K

fax

modem. Total:

1.

A couple

of

quick

$2,199

moves with

a

screwdriver opened the case to reveal the inner workings. We found a generic 32-MB video card, which is an inexpensive moderatespeed video adapter. Two other cards were installed— a generic modem and a generic Sound-Blaster-compatible 16-bit sound card. The motherboard was a good one, with enhanced memory support onboard. It had 128 of the fast stuff. Nothing

MB

RDRAM—

was revealed. After having a peek at the innards, I concluded it would be cost effective to look into building an Athalon-based system as an alternative. John just sat there with a puzzled look on his face, as he was unaware that there was life beyond Intel parts and accessories. He was about to get quite an awakening... I suggested an Athalon XP 1800+ system with a 100-GB hard drive, a DVD-ROM, a CDRW, and a network card so he could connect to the Internet via cable. I knew this was a good system, having recently made one about else of significance

386SX/16

Figure 2-2.

seem

486DX/33

Benchmark

Pentium 90

Your System

2.

We

have taken a good look at hard performance data from a recognized software company proving a take-out computer does indeed have that fast-food quality. Now let's take a good look at what is out there in the component categories and then buy the components we want for our custom system. John, an attorney, came to me last year wanting a good, fast computer. He was primarily interested in a Pentium system but thought a fast Pentium system was too to be.

expensive. I had been interested in several clone systems, strictly from a performance standpoint, and suggested he build one.

week

before the lawyer's urgent request. If you look closely, you can determine that the computer in question is the star attraction of a

this

book. I outlined the

minimum requirements

A

for

case, mouse, keyboard, motherboard, RAM, a floppy drive or two, modem, video card, hard drive, monitor, and CD-ROM. Speakers and a sound card wrapped up the package. Figure 2-3 is the

an Athalon-type system.

28

benchmark

•

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

BUILD, UPGRADE,

Needless to

say, this

system

is

extremely

fast.

Even the slower Athalon chips are very fast. John was beside himself. He was torn between buying the much slower system (out of fear) or jumping into the exciting world of building his

own

Deep inside, I knew would kick in, especially

system.

his killer instincts

where money was concerned. He knew he could save money and get a better system, too. helped him with the shopping— my least favorite part. He taught me some patience in this department, so I learned something, too. I would prefer to go one place and get all the components, but John is a miser and got some I

really great deals. (Notice that eveiything list

is

indicating that

boldface,

components are

on

all

of better quality than he

this

the

would

have gotten with the preassembled computer.)

Motherboard with Athalon XP 1800 + processor and fan: 512 of DDR RAM:

MB

High-end case: Floppy times two (both 3.5-inch drives for copying office records):

modem: Keyboard and mouse bundle: ASUS V8200 GeForce3 video card: 56K

fax

15-inch LCD monitor Ethernet card:

Toshiba 16X

(3

DVD-ROM,

inches thick!)

with stuff): Western Digital 100-GB hard drive: Sound-Blaster Live! sound card: Altec Lansing surround sound system: (free

$249 $29 $55 Total:

John

$20 $12 $15 $259 $299 $7 $55 $59 $0

IDE:

Sony 32X CD-RW:

Windows 2K

$319 $68 $49

just saved nearly $1,000

$1,495

and got a

superior system he designed himself. Now comes the easy part. To give John an idea of what he was undertaking, I showed him the huge stack of boxes containing the parts for the project— the tower, the monitor, the accessories, the whole shebang. If that didn't terrify him, nothing would.

28

WHICH COMPUTER

"Pentium Killer" processors commonly available. I decided to let John go it for the

alone this time.

•

IS

FASTEST?

That question is best evaluated by looking some benchmarks of manufactured systems. Fast-food systems will not reach these benchmarks, but they can be achieved by making your own computer. (It is possible to achieve these benchmarks with a name-brand computer. High-end Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Sony, and Gateway computers reach similar levels, but count on spending lots of money for at

this

performance.)

The benchmarks

and 2-5 both office and

in Figures 2-4

outline processor speed in games applications. Select the

computer

processor to fit your needs with this information and you will be more satisfied with your choices. These two benchmarks depict clearly how your specific applications might determine your choice of processor. The youngster that lives in the 3-D world of game animation will opt for the Pentium 4, whereas an individual

more interested in a stable environment for writing or performing business-related tasks might prefer the Athalon selections. Note that the newest Athalon processor, shown in a benchmark on Figure 2-3, outperforms even the Pentium 4 2-GHz processor, but the jury is still out on which processor performs best in gaming applications with extensive 3-D rendering. I ran some tests of my own that showed that the Pentium 4 platform is still slightly better overall in gaming applications and 3-D modeling involving motion and repetitive iterations of movement and redraw. As for any other architecture differences between a Pentium-based and an Athalonbased system, I have found none. The motherboards are different, as are the support chipsets and RAM types but beyond differences that live on the motherboard, I find no unusual quirks from either architecture. All of the peripheral devices I have purchased will work with either motherboard, including the case, all plug-in modules, and all peripheral devices that are installed in the case.

From

a cost standpoint,

29

•

COMPUTER COST AND PERFORMANCE

29

find parts.

Many vendors

increase their public exposure

by renting booths at local swap meets and user-group gatherings. Many computer shows also have a vendor section where the latest available components are shown. Watch the local newspapers to find out when these shows pass through your area.

Back Like

to John.

two weeks before, John had a pile of Figure 2-3.

Benchmark

Lisa

unfamiliar parts in front of him and no idea of what to do with them. That is where this

for Athalon-based computers.

book came into read Chapter 3

John review

play. to

what he bought and why. (He already had read Chapters 4 and 2. That's why he knew to pick up a good video adapter and sound card.)

He in

followed the instructions

Chapter 4

to

procure the

components, then read Chapter 6 on Lisa's exploits in building

her computer.

Then he was

ready.

He

the Athalon motherboard per the directions in the included manual, added the RAM, double-checked the jumper settings and then installed the video card, modem, and sound card. He installed both of the 3.5-inch floppy drives, the installed

Figure 2-4. System benchmarks running office-related appbcations

the Athalon-based

computer

will cost

you

hundreds of dollars less. Before I go any further I want to discuss where you can find components. Most vendors like to advertise in those magazines that are distributed at no cost at electronics stores; they are prime sources for finding components. Local swap meets are also good places to

hard drive,

CD-ROM, and

DVD-ROM. When took a look

at

he finished this portion, I his progress and found every

jumper and cable properly placed. He finished connecting up the IDE hard drive cable and IDE CD-ROM cables, then wrapped up internal installation by connecting the I/O cables to the rear panel of the case.

suggested he leave the cover

off.

I

30

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

30

Figure 2-5. System benchmarks running games-related applications

He was one hour finished connecting

into the project

when he

up the mouse, keyboard,

He booted up on fdisk, then

his

Windows 2K

disk, ran

formatted his hard drive. He

Windows 2K and had

and monitor. That's how long

installed

one,

operational computer within two hours.

I take to build thought to myself. I noted that Lisa took 45 minutes to get to this point and wondered if it would be this easy for anyone. He turned the computer on and went into the setup routine. (He had done this before when he installed a new hard disk in his old Pentium.) He set up the hard drive, floppydrive parameters, date, and time. (All initializations and setup procedures are discussed in Chapter 6.)

I

Everything worked the

first

a perfectly

time.

have built many computers and have only had to return two defective items, so I I

surprised. One was a hard drive that died after 24 hours, and the other was a motherboard with a bad CMOS battery. With today's quality control, you can be reasonably certain your components will work properly if you follow basic handling precautions.

was not

3 Shopping a

for

Computer

The first order of business in building your computer figuring out what you want. The easiest way to understand your computer needs is to go out and try someone else's system, and the easiest way to try lots of systems is a trip to the computer store. This computer store may be a specialized computer and electronics outlet, a chain department store with a computer electronics section, or any other store with a moderate supply of varied computer systems. Before you go shopping, review this chapter for information on options and accessories, Chapter 5 for software, and Chapter 1 for terminology. At the store, you can get lots of mileage from sales personnel, whose objective is to keep your interest. They will, however, attempt to get you to purchase an expensive system you may not need. This is their sole purpose in life and the reason so many people return their first computer purchase. Their intent is seldom to provide you the computer you need; rather, it is to offer you the computer they want to sell. Try many computers of varying processor types, speeds, and with as many different accessories as possible. Get a feel for the IBM-compatible computer, the wide variety of configurations and options, and the tremendous number of software products available. Do not be afraid to ask questions and get second opinions on everything any salesperson tells you. After you cut through the sales hype, categorize the systems you have looked at into groups you can evaluate. is

31

32

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AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

32

WHAT IS A COMPUTER? THIS BLOCK DIAGRAM WILL GIVE

MOTHERBOARD

YOU SOME IDEA

33

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SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

•

33

I'll discuss my categories and the reason for the groupings. Your individual requirements may necessitate making categories different

PUBLISHING AND MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM

than mine. The objective of this exercise is to determine which computer is right for you.

improvements listed above, the multimedia system adds a CDROM, a sound card, 246 MB more RAM, an

BARE-BONES SYSTEM

even larger hard drive (100 GB), and often a

In addition to the

19-inch or larger digital monitor. Speakers to

Beginning computer owners may wish to build a "basic system" to minimize

expenditures as they develop an understanding of their total computer requirements. They can add hardware or software options later as they begin to use the system and define their long-term needs. A

bare-bones system will have a minimum of RAM, a small hard drive, a basic video card, basic I/O capability, a small monitor, a

keyboard, and a basic mouse. Software operating systems may or may not be included. Bare-bones systems are available in Intel Celeron,

well as

Pentium

3,

and Pentium

4,

as

AMD Duron and Athalon versions.

DESKTOP PUBLISHING SYSTEM Compared

basic system, the components that create a desktop publishing system include more RAM (at least 256 MB), a larger hard drive (60 GB), a good video card, a to

the

and a modem (56K fax/modem). The desktop publishing system typically has Windows 2000 and one or more publishing or office suite programs included. A good quality laser or color ink jet printer is normally added to such a package. larger monitor, (17-inch digital),

reproduce the stereo multimedia effects are added, and a joystick or flight controller or both are included. Few people need all this in a system but many purchase it, only to realize later they have made a mistake. Each one of these groups can have a Pentium 4 or Athalon microprocessor-based computer as the core system, and basically the only difference in performance will be the speed at which each system is capable of operating. Most of the software out there runs well on a Celeron or Duron and great on a Pentium 4 or Athalon-based system. When deciding which speed is right for you take everything into consideration, including the software you intend to run. Processing speed is the biggest selling point of most systems. The data throughput, or actual processing speed, is measured in millions of instructions per second (mips). It is useful to compare the speed of an old XT computer with today's Pentium 4. The XT processes data

at

0.75 mips, while the slower

Pentium 4 processors run about 10,000 mips. A Pentium 4 2-GHz microprocessor-based system is approximately 15,000 times faster than my first PC and infinitely easier to build. By this point in your exploration you have

CPU DATA IBM XT 8086

IBM AT

AMD

AMD

INTEL

286-16

386-40

486-100

Pentium P4,

275,000

1.2 million

2 30,000

135,000

GHz

42 million +

#

GATES

(approx) 0.75

8

2.7

16

11.5

54

12,000 +

MIPS

32

32

64

# BITS

34

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BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

34

hopefully tried out several computers and know which processor best fits your needs and budget. Remember, Celeron-based systems can generally be upgraded to Pentium 4 speed with the simple installation of an Athalon processor and motherboard, and that makes the Celeron system a good place for the budget-minded person to start. The Pentium 4 system, though more expensive, is still open-ended and has no speed limitation. Faster Pentium chips are constantly being offered. The Pentium 4 2GHz system is running about 420 times faster than my XT, and 2 GHz (and faster) chips are available as a drop-in upgrade for most motherboards. One final look at processor speed is available with the CPU Data Chart on

up a slot for more options. If you build a Pentium 4-based system, buy the fastest motherboard you can but don't buy one with an integrated sound card. You may not be satisfied with its level of sound card performance for the life of the motherboard. In general, do not lock yourself into a level of performance you may later regret. I mention this now because the price of a motherboard with an integrated sound card may influence you to purchase one, particularly if you associate a high price with a better motherboard. Now is a good time to talk about hardware and options. I separate hardware into two

the previous page.

groups: internal options and external add-ons.

for printers,

modems, and game

built-in interface is faster than

and

adapters.

The

an add-on card

frees

more work them first.

Obviously, internal options require

THE CLONES OF NOTE

on your

AMD

offers microprocessors that are compatible or better in performance than motherboards that support Intel's Pentium 4 line. The chips are both cheaper and faster than their Pentium counterparts according to certain brands of benchmarking software. Across the entire domain of processor platforms, the product line is dominant in performance. of In 1987, a 133 MHz system with 8

AMD

MB

RAM,

a

1-GB hard

drive,

and no monitor was comparable Pentium

about $300 less than a 75 system, and it was faster. This fact still holds true today; the Athalon 1.4-GHz processor and motherboard is faster than a Pentium 4, 2 GHz processor and motherboard and costs $375 less. How much CPU do you need? Weigh the options available to you against your budget. If a CPU selection drives you to the poorhouse, that's not the processor for you.

Build or

buy the most open-ended

(upgradable) system you can afford. If you upgrade a Celeron or Duron-based system, insist on a motherboard with onboard sound card support and USB or Firewire. Onboard USB support enables you to configure your PnP I/O components more easily. USB is becoming the standard input/output controller

part, so

we

will look at

INTERNAL OPTIONS Here is a list of the hardware required to build a basic computer, starting with the motherboard, case, and everything that goes inside. This is just a

list;

detailed descriptions

of the components, as well as pictures, can be later in this chapter. These are the standard required components, to which you may add options such as a memory stick reader for your digital camera or a DVD-ROM drive—-as your needs grow.

found

—

Motherboard the main component of the motherboard. The microprocessor, RAM, BIOS, cache, and all add-on cards plug into the The

CPU

is

motherboard. It is the heart of any computer and determines the speed and flexibility of your system. The microprocessor can be anything from a Celeron to a Pentium 4 and beyond.

Case

components except the monitor and external items fit inside the case and operate from a power supply inside the case. A fan integrated into the power supply cools the power supply and all internally installed All

35

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

components. An additional fan is often on the microprocessor for

mounted

are discussed

card

on

the

on the cache memory, the fast RAM that stores information passing to and from in detail later in this chapter. Included

motherboard

Sound Card

single in-line

Memory memory is installed

motherboard and consists of memory modules. SIMM modules

35

Sound cards were invented to expand the computing experience by processing sound from digital information. Certain programs and games provide sound and music during execution. The sound plays from either headphones or external speakers. A sound

additional cooling.

The

•

is

is

one of the most important pieces of a

multimedia system and most new games would be useless without one.

Modem

the microprocessor.

The primary way your computer

IDE I/O This function

other computers

normally integrated into all disk operations and all external input/output functions are controlled by it. The integrated disk electronics and input/output functions are available as a separate add-on card for motherboards without a built-in IDE I/O or for those people that like multiple hard disks and is

the motherboard, and

multiple

CD-ROM

or

DVD-ROM

drives.

Video Card This add-on card allows the computer to display text and graphics on your monitor. The range of performance in video cards is remarkable and will be discussed later in this chapter.

Hard Disk Drive Most

primary information, including the operating system, is stored on your hard of the

disk drive.

The

basic exception to this

setup information, which

is

is

the

BIOS Most new

stored in the

ROM discussed later in this chapter.

motherboards and cases support multiple hard disk drives. All installed programs and data you create are stored and run from the hard

using a

talks to

through the telephone lines (The modem gets its name

is

modem.

from

the operations it performs communications signals passing through

on it

to

and from your computer. Modulator and demodulator operations are discussed later in this chapter.) The modem takes information

from your communication program and converts it to analog signals for transmission over telephone cables. The signals are sent through the phone line to a destination you select. Most modems have FAX and voice capability as well.

CD-ROM Large

drive

amounts of data and visual

information can be stored on a compact disk and later accessed using a CD-ROM (compact disk read only memory) drive. This read-only type of media is the heart of the multimedia experience because programs up to 650 in size can be stored on a single density CDROM. This opens up avenues for extensive graphics, including moving pictures and sound. The medium is similar to the compact disks you enjoy in your home stereo system.

MB

disk drive.

Tape Drive System The tape drive backup systems currently

Floppy Disk Drive

When

no programs

installed, a hard disk drive has

information on it. You will install and operating systems on your hard disk using either a floppy disk drive or a

CD-ROM.

All

programs you acquire will be installable using a floppy disk drive or

CD-ROM.

available are the most important protection available for today's

computer systems. For

under $100 you can protect the contents of your hard drive from data loss. A tape drive and the tapes are cost-effective, easy to use, and reliable.

36

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BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

36

EXTERNAL OPTIONS

IN DETAIL

Monitor

Case

The display monitor is one of the most important parts of the computer, and one of the most expensive. You will see and use the monitor more than any other part of the computer, so it had better suit your needs. You will upgrade the motherboard, keyboard, mouse, and most of the internally installed components long before you upgrade or replace the monitor. The sizes and options will be discussed later in this chapter.

Mouse Most programs today make use of the mouse, a pointing device. It is primarily used to select options in programs and to start programs. Several options and configurations are available and are discussed later in this chapter.

Keyboard The keyboard

the primary device you use to input data and control programs into a computer. It is set up similar to a standard typewriter keypad, but has several other is

options and keys to expand

its

capabilities for

use on the PC.

Modem, CD-ROM, Tape

Drive These three devices, discussed above as internal parts, are common items you can also purchase as externally mounted accessories. They interface through cables attached to I/O ports on the back of the computer.

Now let's take a options within each

more detailed look at the component category. This is where you make an informed decision on exactly how much computer you will build. Remember, maximum performance usually means more cost, but weigh your requirements against the future and your pocketbook when deciding. Remember, you normally do not have the option to select any of the components if you purchase a packaged system from a retail outlet.

The cabinet and integrated power supply constitute the case. There are several different

case styles available, such as mini-, medium-,

and full-tower cases. Flat desktop styles commonly used in older systems are still available.

Choose the case type only

after

you

have selected everything else, since the case size can limit your options. A mini-tower case, for example, will not house two floppy drives, a CD-ROM drive, and a tape backup system, and neither will most basic desktop cases. Power consumption is also a factor, but case designers typically take this into consideration when they make the cases. A mini-tower case should be rated at 200 watts minimum. A medium-tower case should be rated at 250 watts, and a full-tower case should support at least 300 watts of accessories. The larger cases have more drive and accessory bays, so the power supply must provide more power. The power supply inside the case takes the 117 VAC from your wall socket and converts it to the +5, +12, -5, and -12 volts the computer requires. The power supply fan must be kept free of dust and obstructions, so don't let anything block the part of the case where the fan is mounted. Blocking the airflow through your computer will result in heat damage to one or more of the internal components. This fan is the only source for cooling in most computers. As is true with all computer components, prices for cases cannot be depended upon to

IMPORTANT NOTE: Some

tower system packaged, do not have the cases, when power switch installed. It typically interferes with the packaging. To install the switch, follow the wiring information carefully. This is the only part of the installation that can cause you harm. If you have any doubt whether the switch is

wired properly, consult the sales personnel where you purchased the case.

37

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

remain constant. Advances in technology and market forces drive costs down steadily. Use the following prices for reference only. Desktop cases run about $22 with a 150watt power supply. You can get a 200-watt

version for about $37. Mini-tower cases start at around $30 with a 230-watt power supply. Both mid-tower and full-tower cases with 230watt power supply go for about $45. The same case with a 300-watt power supply

You can spend more colors, styles,

is

$55.

with special or other gimmicks, but I don't for cases

•

necessary for proper computer operation is configurable in BIOS. More information on BIOS setup parameters is available in Chapter 8. included with the The manual motherboard will tell you if your BIOS will support a specific microprocessor. Certain processors, like the

type of upgrade information in a computer store! The Athalon motherboard will support both the standard Athalon up to 1.4 GHz, and

fans are safer than one. Nothing kills a great computer faster than an unconnected fan failure.

sound and

system. A Pentium 4 system has a Pentium 4 CPU loaded on a Pentium-style motherboard. Athalon-style CPU bundles have Athalon microprocessors

commonly

gives

its

and motherboards

name

to the

installed.

Motherboard/Processor Compatibility A motherboard capable of accepting each grouping of processors within a family will accept higher or lower speed processors in the same family. Example: a motherboard capable of handling a Pentium 4, 2

GHz

processor will

accept a slower processor in the Pentium 4 family. For cost reasons, this is good information. The same goes for the Athalon processors. The basic family of groupings currently available are Athalon and Duron, from AMD, and Pentium 4, Pentium 3, and Celeron, from Intel. For the time being, this is what is available. Benchmarks for each type of processor can be found in Chapter 2. The BIOS is information stored in a programmable memory device on the motherboard. This information allows you to

AMD

initially

set

up

your

motherboard's

configuration for various options. CPU speed, type and quantity, and other information

RAM

Duron and Athalon,

to get this

the

Motherboard

AMD

are as fast as a comparable Pentium-type. Try

recommend it generally. If you spend a few dollars more for a case with an extra fan, however, it is money well spent, since two

The biggest difference between PC models is the motherboard and central processing unit, or microprocessor. The CPU type

37

XP

version, which operates at 1.8 GHz. Figure 3-1 shows a standard Athalon

motherboard. This motherboard has onboard

modem

AMR

slot for the

capabilities. It includes a

(audio

modem

riser).

This is a motherboard with jumperless configuration capability, meaning that the BIOS can auto-detect and set up your processor and RAM. Ideally, this is the best option you can have at your table when building for the first time. It is an extension of the

PnP technology.

Fast Processor, Slow Computer Why does a fast processor like the 2 GHz Pentium 4 run slowly on the average home user's system? Most of us are currently using programs written with 16-bit code embedded in the operating system and programs we use or plan to use. Even Windows 98 has both 16-bit and 32-bit code. Windows NT, however, is a true 32-bit operating system. How many of you are using or planning to use Windows NT? Not

many,

XP

I'll

bet.

Windows 2000

Professional or

The speed of the 2 GHz Pentium 4 processor will be more evident with updated software. are better 32-bit choices.

It

used to be that the bulk of

PC

software

was 16-bit software, written in 16-bit code, with 16-bit compilers, using 16-bit available

drivers.

Many hardware

devices did not have

you are old components, don't expend a Pentium 4 or Athalon-based

32-bit drivers or software available. If

hanging on to the

money

for

system for this reason. The average home system must be capable

38

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

38

of efficiently processing both 16-

and 32-bit code. The Pentium 4 can do this, but since it is optimized for 32-bit code, it slows down considerably running 16-bit code.

It

normally runs slower than an Athalon-based system running the same 16-bit program.

Most motherboards have

a

feature for energy savings called "the green feature." It enables you to set the

shutdown time

This can save quite a bit

BIOS. of energy in

on a system left unattended. The green feature can be found in many peripherals for today's computers, including monitors, printers, scanners, and some highend cases. Figure 3-1 has both AGP and PCI bus slots. The next few paragraphs describe the bus types. These slots are for the various addon cards. Add-on cards provide video display capability, sound support, hard-disk control, and many other functions. These cards and others are discussed in detail later in this chapter.

Most of the add-on cards used Figure 3-1. An Athalon motherboard for AMD Athalon 1400 + CPU. in different system types are similar. The primary difference between cards is the bus type. This is why The 386 and 486 had a 32-bit bus, and the it is just as easy — or easier — to build a Pentium 4 has a 64-bit bus. Even if there were Pentium 4 screamer as an ancient 386 no other advantages, the 64-bit bus (64 lanes system. The primary reason is that current of traffic) moves data eight times faster. motherboards for all processor types are The ISA (Industry Standard Architecture) more flexible in ease of configuration, and bus was introduced in the first PCs and support an increasingly large number of remains one of the standards. This standard, add-on cards. The only real differences in however, limits the I/O bus size to 16 bits and computer architecture are determined by the I/O speed to 8 - 10 MHz. Currently the motherboard. The architecture available motherboards no longer have slots mentioned above refers to the parallel data other than PCI (peripheral component bus to and from the components on the interconnect) and AGP for add-in cards, with motherboard. Data in an XT computer few exceptions. The AMR slot (13) on Figure 3traveled on an 8-bit parallel bus. Envision 1 is an exception to this rule. eight lanes of traffic. To increase data All Athalon and Pentium motherboards incorporate a PCI bus that is 64-bits wide. This throughput, a 286 system doubled the bus to 16 bits of parallel data transfer. bus is stand-alone and is not downward

8 9 1

39

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SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

•

39

Motherboard Components LOCATION

Processor support: Chipsets:

Socket 462

for

AMD Athalon/Duron

Processors

AMD

761 System Controller VIA VT82C686B PCIset

1

8

FLASH EEPROM

2 Mbit Programmable

2

6

Main Memory: Maximum of 2 Gigabytes 2 DIMM Sockets

3

PC2100/PC1600 DDR memory support

Expansion Slots:

5 PCI slots 1

1

System I/O:

Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) Pro

Audio

Audio:

Modem

Riser

(AMR)

17 13

5

2

IDE Connectors (UDMA/100 Support)

4

1

Parallel Port

1

Serial Port connector

(coml, bottom)

22

1

Serial Port connector

(com2, bottom)

20

Connector (top)

Connectors (Port

0, 1)

21

23

1

header (Port 2,3) PS/2 Mouse Connector (top)

24

1

PS/2 Keyboard Connector (bottom)

24

PCI Audio Chipset 1

Game/MIDI Connector

1

Line Out Connector,

1

Microphone Connector (bottom)

1

(top)

Line in Connector (bottom)

1

Wake-On-LAN

7

15

Network Support: 3Com Fast Ethernet Controller LAN (RJ45 Connector (top)

Other:

shared

slot

slot

Floppy Disk Controller Driver Connector

1

USB USB

.

16

1

19 1

14

23

connector

12

Wake-On-Ring connector

10

ASUS ASIC

9

ATX

Power Supply Connector Onboard LED

Table 3-1. Motherboard components for Figure

3-1.

1

1

40

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

compatible to the ancient VLB 16- or 8-bit buses. It has one great feature: it supports PnP compatible add-on cards. As previously mentioned, PnP means you install the card and the computer interface sets the DMA and IRQ settings for you. Unfortunately, all PCI motherboards also exclude the 8- and 16-bit bus slots for your 8- and 16-bit add-on cards. Looks like time to clean house... Speed is the most significant difference among CPUs, and the reason faster processors are more expensive. One factor in CPU speed is how the CPU handles instructions. Of the CISC processors, the Athalon and Pentium are kings. CISC, or complex instruction set processors, have a large instruction set built into the chip.

When

perform a

it

list

task,

must

the sift

CPU

is

asked

through a built-in

of instructions to find the ones necessary

perform the

task.

are faster than the Pentium, but...

There are more than 75,000 programs that run on a Pentium. Nearly all of these programs must be translated if they are to run on a RISC machine, because the RISC processor only understands instructions written in its unique language. The chore of translation slows the program to a crawl, so the RISC processor running a Pentium-based program is up to 50 percent slower. In other words, an Indy race car runs great on a closed racetrack, but will never survive New York's pothole-laden city streets. For the time being, if you want speed and compatibility, select a fast Athalon or Pentium-style motherboard. Intel, in its infinite wisdom, decided to and utilize its 0.18-micron technology, X86 instructions, and the finest aspects of both the Pentium and the Pentium Pro, and go back to the drawing board. What evolved from these efforts is the currently unsurpassed CPU called the Pentium 4. With speeds exceeding 2 GHz, the Pentium 4 is the current state of the art for the high-end computer owner, sharing that distinction with the slower clocked, but

MMX

from

Athalon

XP 1800+

processor

AMD.

Built-in functions available on the newer motherboards include the EIDE interface for IDE hard drives. A floppy disk controller and

support for four IDE devices, including IDE CD-ROM drives, is part of this package. Support for two serial ports, a 16550 UAR/T, one parallel port, and one game port complete the

IDE I/O functions

built into this group. This

group of built-in connectors eliminates the need for an I/O add-on card and an IDE add-on card, freeing up one or two PCI slots in your

computer

USB

Add

and ports, and you finish the enhanced IO for other options.

firewire

capability of current motherboards.

Some motherboards include

to

RISC (reduced instruction set) processors, like the DEC Alpha AXP and Apple's PowerPC, have a much smaller instruction set. They can process data at speeds of 1,500 mips. These RISC processors to

faster operating,

40

•

as well, but

most people

IDE interface

I

a SCSI adapter

know

prefer the

disk controller. However, the SCSI has additional uses, including support for external scanners, backup systems, and sound card add-on peripherals. The SCSI interface is widely used in Macintosh computers, but the lower cost as

their

and easier installation of IDE components makes the IDE system more attractive to most

PC

users.

Avoid onboard video adapters. The video standard industry is advancing rapidly, and six

months sees

a

You need the

new

generation of accessories.

flexibility to

upgrade video

performance by spending less than $100 to drop in the latest upgrade. Many software packages spell out a level of video performance required to run the program, and you need the option of easily upgrading to keep up with your future needs. Sound card options are often added to the motherboard. Once again, if you want to keep up with high-end performance in this department, do not buy a motherboard with Sound systems are integrated sound. increasing in capability, yet they require fewer computer resources. Keep this portion of your system open to easy upgrading with a plug-in sound card.

Another

of the feature built-in motherboard is the ability to self-test (POST) when you turn on the computer. This POST is

41

one of the many features stored

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

in the

BIOS

chip. In addition to self-testing, other features are loaded into the BIOS, such as the entire

configuration

map you

create the first time

power up a new system. This configuration information is the only portion

you

•

41

As you can see, the motherboard is the heart of your computer system. A basic upgrade to a faster computer starts here, and many upgrades require only changing the motherboard or CPU. Simple upgrades, like improving video quality, sound support, or

BIOS you can change or modify without a chip or disk from the manufacturer. Support for larger hard drives and PnP add-on cards is included in newer BIOS. When you purchase a motherboard, look for one

increasing

with PnP BIOS that supports mode 4 EIDE HDD and DMA-66 protocol. This is necessary to have support for the newest generation of hard drives and the plug and play add-on cards. Fortunately, the BIOS chip is normally installed in a socket, and can be replaced or updated with a file from the manufacturer. The motherboard manufacturer will be able to upgrade your BIOS by sending you an updated BIOS disk if you request it. You can also update BIOS with files available on the Internet from the manufacturer. As new features are added to the BIOS, you can easily

intermediate results, high-speed typewriter. When a computer compiles data while running a program, portions of the program and data are loaded

of

update your motherboard. motherboards support

The newest

BIOS. This is the type of BIOS that can be easily updated with a floppy disk or file provided by the motherboard manufacturer. With this capability, you don't even have to open the case! When you build a computer and turn it on for the first time, it has to be configured. The system configuration setup program needs information about the hardware present in your system. You input this information the first time, and it is stored and reused every time you turn on the computer. This subject is addressed in detail at the conclusion of Chapter 6. flash

in

Memory Without memory

extracts portions of the data, performs operations on the data and sends it back to the RAM. This interaction may occur thousands of times during the execution of a program. Only after all the processing is completed is the data sent to a more permanent storage device such as your hard disk or floppy. Often, the data is used to display something on the monitor, send information to a printer, or prompt you

more input. Another type of memory is the ROM, which holds the BIOS information mentioned in the motherboard section of this chapter. for

memory is read only, and is utilized on power-up to configure your computer for use. Most computers have between 64 and 512 MB of RAM installed on the motherboard. The This

RAM

normally consists of integrated circuits mounted on a small 132-pin DIMM. Larger DIMM modules are being utilized, but this is currently the most popular size. Each DIMM contains between 64 and 512

SDRAM

time you turn

it

on.

and a computer would be a

to store instructions

RAM. The CPU accesses the RAM,

small battery installed on the motherboard. If this battery fails and has to be replaced, you must reconfigure the computer. Keep a record of

first

Types

into

MB

configure the computer automatically the

require only changing add-

modules on the motherboard.

The configuration information is stored in volatile memory, which is kept alive with a

your CMOS setup in writing, taped somewhere inside the computer case, to prevent real headaches later. A PnP motherboard will always

memory

is

RAM. The most common type of RAM synchronous dynamic RAM, called SDRAM. of

must be refreshed often during

program execution in

it

or the information stored

will vanish.

another type of RAM is SRAM. Static holds data until it is changed, eliminating refresh cycles. is used for temporary storage primarily because each element of information can be accessed and Still

RAM

RAM

42

changed

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

as often as necessary. This

is

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

what

access means. Random access can be modified in part or in whole, depending on the program you are running and its requirements at the time. Any memory location can be addressed, read, or written to independently of all other memory locations. Data stored on a hard drive or floppy disk, on the other hand, is stored sequentially. It cannot be accessed or changed one byte at a time. This makes access to floppy and hard drive memory a much slower process than RAM access. This is noticeable when you run a large program that runs out of RAM. The computer will use part of your hard drive to temporarily store information normally stored in RAM. You will notice the computer slow down while it searches the hard drive for the temporary results to process. When you hear someone talk about a swap file, they are

random memory

referring to this process.

There

is

machines are

RAM

another faster.

Pentium

reason

Information

is

stored in

in 8-bit increments called bytes. The can process one byte of information at a time. The 16-bit 286 can handle 2 bytes. The 32-bit 386 and 486 can process 4 bytes simultaneously. The Pentium, or Athalon, with its 64-bit bus, can handle 8 bytes (which is 64 bits) simultaneously. Memory utilization is important, particularly for DOS-based programs. DOS, the disk-operating system significantly less prevalent on most current PCs, requires its core programs to live in RAM the entire time you use the computer. DOS, unfortunately, only allows you to use the first 640 KB of memory in your computer. It reserves the next 384 KB for programs you specify in setup files to run in upper memory. Anything above that, unless specially addressed by certain programs, is invisible to DOS. This includes all the additional DIMM memory you can install on the motherboard. This means large programs will not run fast (if at all) in DOS. Special programs called memory managers allow large DOS-based programs to run. Memory managers give DOS programs the ability to use the additional

XT

memory

42

•

installed in your

computer by

to programs normally memory. Windows, OS/2, and all Windows XX programs are three operating systems groups that get around the 640-KB limit imposed by DOS. These programs have memory managers, and all three make use of the expanded and extended memory available. Refer to EMM, Expanded Memory, and Extended Memory in Chapter 8 for more details on these subjects. We talked about DIMM memory earlier and mentioned the common sizes. Now let's talk about configuration on the motherboard. Memory on the motherboard is configured in banks of DIMM. Usually, a motherboard will have between two and four banks of DIMM. The banks are usually numbered from 0 to 3, and loaded sequentially with DIMM, normally from the lowest numbered bank to the highest. You can load any number of banks with DIMM, but each bank you load must be filled. (Some motherboards auto-detect memory, enabling you to load any bank, instead of the lowest first. All new motherboards support 132-pin DIMM, which comes in both EDO [extended data output] and SDRAM

allocating portions of

resident in

DOS,

it

or low

configurations.)

EDO DRAM fast

machine

it

has arrived in force, and in a can be 10 percent faster than

conventional memory. EDO RAM also costs about 10 percent more than normal DRAM. is and regular Mixing EDO like mixing matter and anti-matter, so don't. If you need speed, buy it. The difference is evident in extremely fast games and complex graphics programs. Finally, SDRAM is a current evolution

DRAM

DRAM

from

EDO DRAM.

With sub-10-nanosecond

times faster than EDO access speed, RAM. Don't consider operating an 800 MHz or it is six

computer without SDRAM. The next step up is DDR RAM for the Athalon processor, and RDRAM for the Pentium 4 processor. Both architectures are discussed in the next paragraph on RAM selection. faster

DDR SDRAM for all

is

the current state of the art

Athalon-based computers.

It

allows for

43

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

data transfer to occur on both the rising and edge of the data clock pulse to the RAM. With this method of data transfer, the effective speed of operation is increased

falling

beyond 200 MHz. Note that the bus width is 64 bits on this configuration. This is necessary when comparing its performance to RDRAM, the Rambus offering for Pentium 4 computers.

RDRAM

can be clocked such that it can achieve an effective 800 MHz of operation. The only drawback is that the architecture is limited to a 16-bit bus. This means that it can only run at 200 MHz, when you compare the bus width with the 64-bit bus of the

is fast. It

DDR SDRAM. DDR SDRAM

Both

and

RDRAM

represent

from the previous standard of 144pin SDRAM, so be certain when purchasing a motherboard that you know the number of pins of each RAM slot (144 for SDRAM and 168 for DDR SDRAM, for example). Your a departure

motherboard documentation will tell you which types and sizes of RAM it supports. Assume the Pentium 4 motherboards will require RDRAM, and the AMD Athalon motherboards will require DDR SDRAM. Another price issue: Like the significant difference between the prices of an processor versus the comparable, but slower, Pentium 4 version, DDR SDRAM is much cheaper than RDRAM. For example, today's prices show 512 MB of DDR SDRAM is $75, while the same size in RDRAM is $230. The AMD approach continues to be significantly less expensive than the Pentium 4 equivalent. Cache memory is one way to speed up a computer. Many times during its execution a program must loop several times through the same steps. The computer uses cache memory— consisting of 256 KB or 512 KB of very fast SRAM memory chips— to store these repetitive operations. Considering that a fast memory chip runs at 60 NS

AMD

DRAM

(nanoseconds), the

7NSto lONSis

SRAM

processing speed of

quite impressive.

was a recent addition the high-speed improvements for faster Pipeline burst cache

to

machines. It is significantly faster than SRAM cache, and improved the benchmark of a

•

43

Pentium 120 by 20 percent. Refer to Chapter 2 to see how much improvement pipeline burst cache made in 32-bit performance as reported by Norton Utilities for Windows 95. Memory is the easiest upgrade you can perform on a computer. You just find the lowest numbered open bank and fill it with a memory module. Be advised, however, that memory can be the single most expensive item in the computer.

IDE I/O Cards The IDE hard disk interface and I/O functions are normally paired in a single assembly. This is true whether they share the same add-on card or are incorporated into the motherboard design. The input/output functions normally supported include game controller and printer support. The primary I/O function is support for two serialcontrolled devices, the mouse and the modem. Note that the only way to increase the number of CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, or hard drives in your computer is by adding an IDE I/O card. Though they used to be an add-in device in all computers, this function is now a normally built-in function. I have a motherboard with a DMA66 controller for enhanced hard drive support, and a standard secondary port that supports two other IDE devices. If I want to

add any additional devices, such as a

drive,

I

must

CD-ROM or DVD-ROM DVD recorder or CD-RW

install

one of these cards

to

accomplish the task.

Most enhanced IDE I/O cards support two floppy disk drives, four IDE hard drives or

CD-ROM

drives,

two

serial

communication (COM) ports, one parallel printer port, and one game controller port. The non-enhanced versions normally included in purchased computers only support two hard drives or CD-ROM drives. I am currently running two 100 GHz hard drives, a

CD-RW, and

a

DVD-ROM. These

are just a few of the types of installable

IDE

We will look at the devices that connect to the I/O portion of your computer later in this chapter. Figure 3-2 shows an enhanced local bus IDE I/O CARD.

peripherals.

44

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

Video Cards The monitor is useless

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

nwunanKT

oc

ECCNMrawr «

OB FUmDSIPOKT

•

44

OHMCMBr

aeuMm

iTcz

^

without a video adapter card. This card takes the digital

cmumti

wr

,C=3 jw:

**>

nr jntC

mjui

information from your programs and converts it to

JPU

JT17 JPIt

JfF*

J«1

Jhi

analog information in a format

your monitor can display. Most video adapters have both text and graphics support. To display text, the adapter looks up a typed character in displays a bit

it.

its library,

Figure 3-2.

An enhanced IDE

I/O card.

then

Video graphics

more complicated,

is

so

most video graphics displays are a function of pro-

gramming. Video adapter software allows the user to put lines, graphs, pictures, and almost any type of image on your computer screen. Some video cards are referred to as graphics accelerator cards. They perform certain graphics display functions without interrupting the CPU. This

possible because they have special functions builtis

Figure 3-3.

ASUS V8200 GeForce

and can handle many operations called out by programs without processing data over the bus. Any operation

3,

4X AGP video card.

in

processed without bus interaction is very fast. Certain video cards even have their own built-in microprocessor.

Video cards normally have RAM installed to save having to go through the bus to use the motherboard RAM. Standard video RAM size is 32 MB, which allows you to display 16 million colors at 1,024 * 768 resolution. A better choice is 64 MB of RAM, because you can display 16 million colors at any resolution. This is a must for 17 inch and larger monitors. Most high-quality video cards are available both in PCI and AGO bus types. Figure 3-3 shows a premium video card in AGP bus format. Though 32-MB video cards are available, they typically have limited graphics

support and are not generally considered viable purchases for today's computers.

Speed

is

an important consideration in

video processing. Purchasing a 2X or 4X AGP video card will produce a considerable speed improvement over a 32-MB PCI video card. You will notice a significant difference, particularly if you use graphics-intensive games or CAD programs. To work with an SVGA (super video graphics array) monitor, a video card should have video accelerator functions and 64 MB of memory. Never buy a SVGA monitor without also purchasing an AGP bus video accelerator adapter card. For true colors and depth, a good video card is necessary. If you have interest in running video graphics from CD-ROM or external video sources, consider an MPEG (motion pictures

45

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

expert group) video adapter. This adapter supports video compression and decompression, allowing you to capture and display true motion video. Video adapters that support 3-D games and movies are available as well. All video cards that meet MPEG requirements are identified, but I believe most of the current models support this

important function.

Hard Disk Drives hard drive installed

The in your computer is the primary storage and retrieval device. Most of the programs you run will be executed from the hard drive. Programs are read into memory, then executed. Data from the programs is stored on the hard drive to be used later. Any permanent data you save is stored on the hard drive in a format that allows you or the program to retrieve it

when

needed.

The hard

drive,

when new,

is

formatted

which are divided into Each sector is 512 bytes in length.

into concentric tracks,

sectors.

Since

many

files

are larger than 512 bytes, the

system will record as much of a file as will fit one sector, then look for the next available sector. The remainder of the file will be stored

in

in available sectors as they are located.

During formatting, sectors are grouped into allocation units. No more than one file can be written in the same allocation unit, but a file may span several allocation units. The

number

•

45

of sectors per allocation unit varies

with the size of the hard drive. A 200 MB hard drive has allocation units composed of eight sectors, but a 100 MB hard drive allocation unit is only four sectors in size. (You can get more data on a large hard drive if you partition it into several logical drives. This is particularly true if you have lots of small files. More on partitioning hard drives can be found in Chapter 6.) With all of this data stored on a hard drive, how does the computer find it? A portion of the hard drive is reserved to store a file allocation table, or FAT.

The FAT

stores the

file, and updates each time the hard drive is accessed. The computer is smart enough to make a copy of

location of each part of every itself

the FAT in case the original is damaged or if you have a disk manager utility program, as mentioned in Chapter 9.

A

hard drive may be made of several disk and many heads, to read from and write to the platters. This makes the hard drive fragile and sensitive to rough handling. Hard drives are factory sealed to prevent dust from platters,

entering; the smallest dust or cigarette

smoke

can destroy a hard drive by becoming lodged between one of the heads and a platter. If this happens, all data on the affected disk surface will be unreadable and lost. Care should be exercised when moving your computer or handling a new hard drive particle

prior to installation.

The hard drive

sensitive to motion, especially is turned on. Avoid computer unless it is turned off.

computer

The two primary

is

when

also

the

moving

a

specifications used in

small computer disk interfaces are EIDE and SCSI. The recently added EIDE specification improves the IDE format to handle larger

Figure 3-4.

Hard

drive configuration junipers.

hard drives and improves the transfer rate of data to 133 MB per second. All IDE hard drives are supported by the EIDE format. There are other formats for disk control, but they are either obsolete or seldom utilized. (DMA33 and DMA66 are two extensions of the IDE data transfer method that allow information to pass faster between the hard drives and, ultimately, the CPU. They have

46

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

two

distinctly different methods on interconnection with the motherboard and cannot be mixed on the same cable. This is an important fact to consider, since a CD-ROM

DVD-ROM cannot DMA66 hard drive.) or

share a cable with a

IDE hard drives are recommended for several reasons, including ease of configuration and standardization. The IDE control system is inexpensive and is often included on the motherboard. IDE drives can be chained on the same controller, and up to four IDE drives can be easily installed. More are possible, but the installation becomes somewhat complicated. More on configuration in Chapter 6, and refer to Figure 3-4 for a quick look now. Regarding IDE standardization, some IDE hard drive manufacturers bend the standard a bit. Occasionally different brands of IDE hard drive may not be compatible when installed

The best approach is to install drives from the same manufacturer. Who uses SCSI hard drives and why? The primary reason some people move to SCSI hard drives seems to be the capability of installing seven logical devices on one adapter. You can install up to four interface boards, but can only have a maximum of 24 SCSI devices. Each device must be hardware addressed with jumpers to a unique logical unit number, or together.

LUN

address.

Other reasons are that some SCSI hard drives are a bit faster than equivalent IDE hard drives, and SCSI hard drives are available in extremely large sizes. A friend of mine recently installed a 180 GB SCSI hard drive! Why eludes me. The safer approach is to spend less on each hard drive and use multiple drives. A hard drive crash is less traumatic if you have multiple drives; you only have to replace a portion of your total storage capacity, and the cost is much lower. While we're on the subject of hard drives, here's a useful offshoot from the basic hard disk storage system: the removable disk drive system. Several types are available, and each one has

The

its

own noteworthy features. Peerless from drive

Iomega

•

46

is a popular choice and among the best removable drives. It is one of the most popular removable drives, in sizes ranging from 5 GB to more than 20 GB. One feature of this drive

is its

nearly indestructible

mechanism. It can be dropped from a height of 6 feet with no internal damage to the drive. If this drive is the only drive in your system, you can remove your work and store it somewhere safe when you leave your computer. It can also be used in conjunction with an existing hard drive; a common use is as a backup system. It comes in USB format. This drive is only available as an external drive, and is more expensive in that format since you have to pay for the additional hardware and power supply. Expect to spend $200 - $300. One disadvantage of this system is the lack of access speed. It is slower than newer hard drives. It is a smaller capacity storage medium, much smaller than the 100 GB - 200 GB drives commonly utilized. The clear advantage is the built-in crash protection. The Bernoulli drive has flexible disks, and even if the head comes in contact with the disk, it seldom damages it. If it's properly packaged, you can even send the drive to another user through the mail without concern for damage. The Iomega zip drive uses a 3.5-inch cartridge. Similar in appearance to a standard 3.5-inch floppy disk, this system can store up to 100 MB on each cartridge. The zip drive is inexpensive at about $100, and the cartridges run about $10. This system could replace your hard drive, but capacity is a limitation. A better use for it is as a backup system. Another popular removable hard storage medium is the SyQuest drive. SyQuest has a line of removable hard drive cartridges with capacities up to 270 MB uncompressed. Disadvantages include small capacity, slow access speed, and the requirement of a SCSI interface for the drive. Zone bit recording (ZBR) is the recording method utilized to reach the 270 MB capacity. Each disk is divided into zones. The longer outside tracks are divided into a smaller number of sectors, with a large number of

47

bytes per sector.

The inner tracks

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

47

•

are divided

the material's resistance to being magnetized,

number of sectors, but have a smaller number of bytes per sector, which increases the storage capacity significantly. Nearly all other systems stick with 512 bytes per sector. SyQuest offers both internal and external SCSI drives, and several drives that operate

enabling you to store data on it. When the area cools down it regains the resistance to being magnetized or demagnetized. This gives your stored data a lifetime five times the life of normally stored data. Common shelf lives exceed 10 years. These drives have a relatively small storage capacity— normally 120 to about

into a larger

PCMCIA TYPE

The PCMCIA Computer Memory Card Industry Association) bus is found in laptop and notebook computers, but this standard from

III slots.

(Personal

occasionally is found in desktop machines. These drives are small in size and capacity. They measure about 1.8 inches across, and the capacities are 60 and 80 MB. These plug-in drives, mounted on add-on PC cards, can be removed and installed while your computer is running. Some U.S. government offices use this method of storage so that the drives can be removed and locked up for security purposes. Several companies offer tiny hard drives from 500 MB to more than 2 GB in size. The drives are so small they offer an easy and safe way to secure confidential data and back it up. Look for the greatest advancements in hard drive storage capacity in this type of

hard drive. While SyQuest is still fresh in your mind, consider their parallel port drives. They borrow the computer's parallel printer port or supply an additional connector. The primary use I have seen for this type of hard drive is for backup, but you can use it to secure sensitive data also. If you share data

with another computer site, this is a good way to do it. Several other companies use this type of interface. (magneto-optical) hard drives were designed to resist the tendency of hard drives

MO

Even the best magnetic hard drives will not hold data stored on them magnetically longer than a few years. MO to lose data.

drives store data

by using a

laser to preheat a

small section of the disk immediately prior to data storage. This is performed on a material

with a high resistance to being demagnetized. The high heat produced by the laser reduces

MB

250 MB. Unless you never back up your computer you will not need this level of protection for your data.

Both

CD-RW

and

DVD-RW

drives are offshoots of this basic technology, but use laser beams at high frequency to store data on an optically sensitive medium. Typical CDROM capacities are 650 MB, and typical DVDcapacities for single layer are 4 GB. The write once, read many times (WORM) drive is an optical storage device

RW

CD-ROM

similar to a

stores data in the

recorder.

same fashion

It

typically

as current

hard drives, with concentric circles of sectors and tracks. The CD-ROM recorder stores data in a single winding track from the center of the

CD

to the outside.

WORM

There are no standards for drives that all manufacturers follow. The size of this system varies from a standard 5.25-inch bay in your computer up to 12-inch desktop models.

Floppy Disk Drives Your basic resource for installing computer software and transferring data to and from your computer will probably be your floppy drive system.

Floppy drives come in several sizes. The most popular physical size is the 3.5-inch, which will fit in either a 5.25-inch standard bay or the smaller half-height bay in your case. The older and less popular size is the 5.25-inch. Another common drive is the combination drive, which consists of a 5.25inch and 3.5-inch both driven by the same drive motor. By the time you read this, it might be impossible to find a 5.25-inch drive or the corresponding media. Instead of a hard drive, the first personal computers had two drive bays that housed one

48

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

12-inch floppy disk each. The boot drive was the upper floppy disk, and the bottom disk was the working disk. The only disk I could modify data on was the working disk. The

was 150 300 KB. Floppy drives have advanced significantly. The first small 5.25-inch drives were singlesided and could only store 140 KB on each disk. The current 5.25-inch drives support media densities of 360 KB and 1.2 MB. The 3.5-inch disk drives support 720 KB and 1.44 MB. There is a 2.88 MB version available, but most people prefer the less expensive 1.44 MB standard. Since the specifics of data storage on a floppy drive represent a book in itself, let's greatly simplify description of the process as we did in the hard drive section. The recording medium of a floppy drive is different than a hard drive. It is made up of a thin, oxide-coated polyethylene film, hence the name floppy or flexible disk. The 5.25-inch floppies are housed in a flexible case, while the 3.5-inch floppies have a hard plastic case. Unlike most hard drives, the floppy disk medium is removable. The two read-write heads remain in the floppy drive unit mounted in the computer. The disk surface is written to by magnetizing a small portion of the surface by generating a magnetic pulse in one of the write heads of the disk drive. When the disk is read, that spot causes a magnetic flux to occur in the read head, producing a small electrical signal. This signal is added to other bits and decoded to reassemble the data you stored on the disk. This process occurs thousands of times per storage capacity of these floppy disks

KB and

•

48

second during data storage and recovery. How does the computer know where the data is stored on the disk? A floppy disk must be formatted. Formatting magnetically divides the disk surface into concentric circular tracks, of which each is divided again into sectors. In a 1.2-MB double-sided high-density floppy drive, there are 80 tracks per side. It is the same for 1.44-MB 3.5-inch disks. Each track on the 1.2-MB disk is divided into 15 sectors, while each track is 18 sectors for the 1.44-MB disck. Each one of these sectors constitutes an allocation unit. An allocation unit is a spot allocated on the disk for data to be stored. Only single files or parts of a single file can be stored in an allocation unit.

The difference

in the

number

of sectors

between the 1.2-MB and 1.44-MB disks

# Tracks Per Side

Size

360

KB

1.2

MB

720

KB

1.44

2.88

MB MB

40 80 80 80 80

# Sectors Per Track

formatting, a

FAT

disk. This track

is

is created on track 0 of the where the index for the disk

Each time

written to, a record of the task is placed in the FAT. This is how the computer knows where data is stored on the floppy disk surface. The 5.25-inch floppy drive, though obsolete by current standards, is still available. The floppy disk media comes in 360 KB and 1.2 MB. The 1.2-MB disks are labeled doubleis

stored.

a sector

sided high density. The 3.5-inch floppy drive

is

is

the current

standard. The media available for it consists of 720-KB double-sided double-density and 1.44-

MB

double-sided high-density floppy diskettes, which are readily available and inexpensive.

The 2.88-MB 3.5-inch extended-density drive has been out for several years, but hasn't

9 15

9 18

36

#

Max#

Preformat

Used by System

Available

Dirs

368640 1228800 737280 1474560 2949120

6144 14898 12800 16896 33792

362496 1213952 724480 1457664 2915328

224 224 224 240

Capacity,

the

reason for the difference in capacity. During

FLOPPY DISK CAPACITIES Disk

is

112

49

Figure 3-5.

A 64-bit Sound

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

caught on. Affordable CD-ROM equipment, with 600+ MB capacity, minimized the importance of the 2.88 MB floppy for program installation. The ED drive is a good concept, but may have been introduced too late. The added expense of a special 1 MB controller may also have its

lack of popularity.

In the chart Floppy Disk Capacities, note that the is

the

maximum number

same

of root directories

for the 1.2-MB, the 720-KB,

the 1.44-MB disks. file

The

limitation is in the

allocation table. To put

a floppy disk,

49

Blaster Live! sound card with 3-D sound.

really

influenced

•

more

and

DOS

directories

on

you must create subdirectories

presentations, the multimedia sound card accessory was created. Sound cards often come as part of a multimedia kit, which normally packages a sound card, a CD-ROM, software, and speakers. They usually can be purchased separately for less money. Figure 35 shows a Sound Blaster compatible 64-bit sound card with wave table and 3-D audio interface. The Sound Blaster product line is the de-facto standard in sound card

performance and standardization. The Yamaha family of sound cards is a good alternative because of the extensive MIDI (musical instrument

digital interface)

support available

Sound Cards

and the higher power output they provide. Yamaha-manufactured cards also support Sound Blaster compatible modes. Most sound cards can record high quality

To enhance the computing experience and add complex audio to projects, games, and

sound from a variety of sources. These include a compact disk, remote stereo, video camera,

More information

beneath the root directories. on subdirectories is in Chapter

6.

50

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

MIDI device connected to your computer. The MIDI built into most sound

or any

cards allows you to capture sound bits from keyboards, synthesizers, and a wide variety of input devices.

FM

synthesis built into the sound card allows you to accurately reproduce up to 128

MIDI sounds and more than 45 percussion instruments. Some have actual samples of instrument sounds built in and use a wave table for

FM

synthesis.

Mixer capabilities are a useful addition to sound cards. An audio mixer allows you to control sound levels, bass, and treble in program material you wish to record. A microphone jack is a normal addition to most sound cards, and so is

voice recognition software.

Voice recognition software allows you to operate your computer by talking to it after creating a voice-to-text table using samples of

your voice reading certain words. After the computer stores your voice, it can recognize commands you dictate through the microphone attached to your sound card. The sound card is a digital-to-analog interface that converts digitally stored information to analog sounds that speakers play. Many sound cards double as an interface for a CD-ROM. If the interface is SCSI, the sound card will also control up to six other devices. The

and headphones can

interaction between a CD-ROM and a sound card is digital. The only time the sound card provides analog output is when you are playing something through the speakers or headphones. The technique sound cards use to record music and voice onto your hard drive is called digital sampling. The analog sound is broken into small fragments, and only a portion of

•

50

minute of sound. This is why the average compact disk, with over 650 MB of storage capability, can only store about 1 hour of music, but

it is

stereo!

When

recording high fidelity sound, it is necessary to go well beyond the limits of ordinary hearing. The reason is that mixing sounds outside the range we can hear makes many audible sounds. We would notice if sound cards limited sample rates to the 20 kHz limit of normal hearing; in fact, you must sample at more that twice the normal hearing range upper limit of 20 kHz to obtain good quality reproduction. A 44.1 kHz digital sample produces a 22 kHz analog signal when converted.

The

greatest advantage provided by the

processing of your sound card is the absence of noise; there is no tape hiss or static. Digital processing normally gives a signal-to-noise ratio of -90 dB. At this level, digital

noise

is

inaudible.

The onboard

digital signal

CPU

processor (DSP)

by keeping most sound-related operations on the sound card. With no bus traffic to and from the helps reduce any added

traffic

processor for sound-related functions, there less possibility for

is

CPU slowdown when running

complex sound and graphics operations. The obvious advantage the DSP offers speed, since the processor

is

is

not interrupted to

handle sound processing. The DSP also handles the music synthesis and specialized digital effects required by many high-end programs. Assembling the many notes for a variety of instruments would be an imposing task for the processor otherwise.

The minimum sound card you should purchase is a 32-bit sound card with a DSP function. Anything else

is

already obsolete, and

stored. If the fragments are

will not handle future requirements. Expect to

small enough, and the space between the stored fragments is small enough, the sound can be reliably reproduced. Most sound cards are at least 32-bit cards. A 32-bit card can break an analog wave into 65,536 (or 64K) fragments. If you use a 44 kHz sample rate to store stereo music, you will need more than 10 MB of disk space to store 1

spend around $12 to $15 for basic sound support, and up to $40 for 3-D full-featured wave table 64-bit live sound and 64 MIDI voices.

these fragments

is

The Modem modem modulates

digital the A information a computer provides into analog signals the phone system understands. When

51

the analog signal

of the

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

received on the other end communication link, the receiving is

modem demodulates

the signal to digital information the computer understands. The phone line, being an analog system, is full of noise. This noise affects the quality of transmission to and from the modem. Most modems have error correction functions built in to clean up poor quality communications, and can adjust the communication speed on both ends to optimize response quality. Baud rate is a measure of the communication speed between modems. Baud rates of 300 means the computers are talking at about 27 characters per second. (To get this

number, add the 8 to

1

define a character

bits that

start bit, 1 stop bit,

and the next

start bit.

Then divide 300 by

the total (11) to get about 27 characters per second.) Two modems, when communicating, must operate at the same baud rate and use the

same communication protocol. Fortunately, faster modems are downward compatible with slower ones. Modem speeds can vary from 300 baud to over 56K baud. A 28. 8K baud modem transmits at approximately 2,800 characters per second. One protocol of choice is Zmodem batch, which sends data as a continuous stream. Error checking codes are inserted at certain intervals. If

an error

portion of data

is

is

detected, the affected

sent again.

Other protocols include Kermit,

Xmodem,

and Ymodem. These three send

a block of and attached code data with error-checking await a positive response from the recipient block. next the before sending

Zmodem

batch is a bi-directional protocol, error detection and correction is an ongoing process. ITU recommended Let's discuss This... is... very... slow. Since

International standards. The Telecommunications Union, previously called the Comite Consultatif Internal de Telegraphique et Telephone (CCITT), was established to standardize worldwide telecommunications. The committee makes recommendations only, and companies can accept or ignore these suggestions.

•

51

All suggestions for standardization in small

computers have a or non-switched

V

or

X

prefix, for

phone networks

switched

respectively.

(Most systems are switched.) All revisions or alternate suggestions have either bis (for second) or ter (for third) following the standard type. An example is V.32bis. A V.32bis modem can communicate at 14. 4K baud, but a V.32 modem can only run at 4,800 or 9,600 bps. The V.32bis standard is a modulation method. The V.34 standard is for the 28.8 K baud modems. The V.42bis standard is a method of combined error

checking and compression. Two V.42bis modems can communicate at speeds up to 57.6

K

baud.

modems must use communications software to operate. When you purchase a All

modem, it normally comes with a strippeddown version of a popular communications package. You may choose to purchase a high performance software package to optimize use of your modem. Some communications packages worth note are Qmodem by Mustang Software, Procomm Plus by DataStorm, and WinComm Pro by Delrina. There are also numerous shareware packages available, such as Lcom, and BBS software such as Wildcat and WWIV. Hayes compatibility is an important data requirement for modems. Hayes set the standard and all other manufacturers have established products that adhere to these standards. There are two types of modems, internal

and external, each with

advantages and disadvantages. Both have a speaker to allow you to hear busy signals or ringing. External modems have a switch to turn them off. If you are security conscious, it makes sense to prevent access to your computer by turning your modem off when not in use. External modems show activity with status LEDs on their front panel so you always know what's going on. The disadvantages of external units are higher cost and the requirement for an external COM port. its

Internal modems are the most popular. They are their own communications port when installed and do not require additional

52

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

desk space. They do not have status indicators and cannot be switched off, however. They also eat up one of the valuable add-on card slots in your computer. Fax capability is normally included on

most modems available today. Any document you create can be faxed to a recipient with a fax

modem

or conventional fax machine.

CD-ROM

Drives

Since the middle 1990s, a

has become a necessity. The device that was once a nice option has become a key requirement on nearly everyone's computer. The CD-ROM provides numerous benefits for home computer users, and the host of software available

is

endless. Figure 3-6 depicts a

CD-

ROM drive. The uses

52

The CD-ROM has recently become the defacto standard convenient medium for software installation, including operating systems, legal programs, medical software, pharmaceutical reference books, and desktop publishing software. The uses for this medium

seem

be endless. Sony and Phillips Corporations first marketed the CD-ROM in the 1980s. Its to

initial

CD-ROM

•

use was playing recorded music

without the analog noise common in existing systems. Of course, home units could only play music; the recording system cost at that time was prohibitive. A CD-ROM disk is made by burning microscopic depressions in ihe disk material with a miniature laser in response to program data digital logic levels. This creates a pattern

CD-ROM

for business are

and

Data

book focuses on the home user. Since the price of CD-ROM games and entertainment packages has dropped

is read from the disk by another type of laser. When the read laser is focused on the programmed portion of the disk, the pits do not reflect back as much light

purchase computers with

as the lands, allowing the read laser to easily

of

significant, but this

significantly, people

CD-ROMs already installed. Home entertainment is one of the principal targets for CD-ROM software developers. Games, encyclopedias, music, art, and movies are transformed to CD-ROM software. Educational material is quickly and easily learned from a CDROM, and kids are quick to acquire the skills necessary to use the system. Several hundred books, or three hours of compressed video, can be stored on a single CD-ROM. sensory experience of a CD-ROM system seems to make learning easier. With more avenues to the brain, topics can be easily assimilated and retained. School topics become multimedia experiences and learning

The

total

becomes

fun.

of pits

lands.

distinguish the

programmed

bits.

The

digital

ones and zeroes represented by the pits and lands are decoded, and the data is recovered. Data on a laser disk is encoded in one large spiral track winding outward from the disk's center. This single track is divided into about 270,000 sectors, if the laser that programmed the disk is a low-frequency red laser. More than five times that many sectors are available with a green laser, but this technology is not yet commonplace, except in DVD recorders. Each sector in both types is 2,048 bytes. The sectors are numbered in .001 second increments, which allows the data to

be easily located. The rotational speed of a laser disk constantly changes with respect to distance center. This CLV (constant linear method allows uniform data

from the disk velocity)

and is similar recording method used in some

acquisition with respect to time,

zone bit hard drives. Like a hard disk, the speed at which a laser disk can transfer data to memory is far slower than direct memory access. The first CD-ROM drives had a data transfer speed less to the

Figure 3-6. The

CD-ROM drive

53

than 100 sectors per second. bytes, or 2 KB,

and the

first

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

A sector is CD-ROMs

2,048 could

KB

times 100 sectors, or 200 KB (200 thousand bytes) of data per second. By comparison, current IDE hard drives can transfer between 4 MB (4 million bytes) and transfer 2

13

MB of data in the

same amount

of time.

This category of computer accessory has

improved substantially. Transfer rates for CDROM drives have been the primary performance increase. To put transfer rates in perspective, an old drive was rated about 150 KB per second. A good 4X drive will transfer 600 KB per second. A 6X CD-ROM increases this number to about 900 KB per second. Access time, the length of time the drive takes to find any sector, is the other measurement of CD-ROM performance. An old drive took 600 milliseconds, or ms, to locate data, and a 6X drive only takes about 100 ms to perform the same operation. Today's drives are 8-10 times faster than a 6X CD-ROM drive was.

53

•

New and

faster drives are constantly being

designed. Stay at least one speed behind the

pack

ROM drive

That $100 60X CDdrive will cost only $50 when the 72X

to get the best deals.

becomes commonplace.

The CD-ROM recording system has become inexpensive enough for home use,

CD

recorders going for less than $100. records use the recorder to archive duplicates of the data. With 650 (or up to 4 GB of storage capability using compression) you could archive the complete records of a large

with

Many companies have their paper scanned and put on CD-ROM, then

MB

hospital

on a few

CD-ROM

disks.

recorders are becoming popular

backup systems and for copying systems from one computer to another. Remember that if you purchase software, you normally agree to install the software on only one machine. If as

you use a

CD-ROM

recorder to illegally copy

you can get

or transfer software,

into serious

trouble for copyright infringement.

Remember cache memory? A good CD-

ROM data

drive has a built-in cache buffer.

is

transferred from the

CD-ROM

When

drive to

the computer, it is temporarily loaded into cache on the drive. The data transfer to the computer can occur much more quickly and

smoothly this way. Most inexpensive CD-ROM drives have a 256-KB buffer, but a good drive will have 2 MB. Several companies offer CD-ROM caching software. These programs set aside memory in your computer to use as a temporary storage cache for use while running programs on CDROM. The memory they set aside can be either on your hard disk or on your motherboard. Either way, the access time of the cache memory will be much faster than the CD-ROM access time, so your program will run faster. There are other differences in CD-ROM drives. The most significant is the internal or

An

external drive will cost more, but performance should be similar. Stay away from CD-ROM drives with proprietary interfaces, and pick a good IDE or SCSI drive external option.

that

fits

your requirements.

Backup Systems The move

hard drives in computers today necessitates a backup system with large capacity. A good tape backup to

larger

system will save you hours of frustration and yards of gray hair. Tape backups are inexpensive, too.

You can purchase a tape backup system that supports 800 MB of storage on each tape for around $70. A good external drive that puts up to 5 GB on each tape is under $140. The tapes are also constantly coming down in price. A five pack sold recently for about the one year ago. For about $10 you can get 800 MB tapes, and the 5 GB Travan cartridges run $20. Tape backup systems operate between 15 MB and 25 MB per minute, depending on the hardware. Figure 3-7 shows three backup

price of a single tape

options currently available.

The best part of a backup system is the Most tape drives come with DOS and Windows 9X backup software, which ease of use.

automatically configures the tape system for use. In the event of a massive hard-drive

)

54

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

54

with a larger monitor, get it now. They normally go down in price slowly, unlike other computer accessories.

necessary to mention the monitorsizing scheme. When you buy a 14-inch monitor, you can only use a portion of the 14 inches; there is a border of up to one inch all the way around the monitor screen. This border masks a portion of the monitor deemed unusable due to screen curvature. Even a good 15-inch flat screen monitor has only 13.5 inches of diagonal viewing area. Size is the most important feature. Get the monitor most comfortable to view, considering your software requirements. If you plan to do any CAD or schematic work, do not get a monitor smaller than 19 inches. Desktop publishing or heavy 3-D gaming requires at It is

Figure 3-7: Several systems are available to back

up

your data.

failure,

your tape backup system will save you

hours of stressful data recovery. Consider the three hours required to restore a system crash from backup. If you had to rebuild 100 GB of installed software without a backup system, it might take you several days, if you could accomplish it at all. A backup system is only good if you use it. Do a full system backup as soon as you install the backup drive. Perform incremental backups weekly if you use the computer daily. The three backup systems shown in Figure 3-7 are, from left to right, a Hewlett-Packard (HP) 5 GB tape backup system, an IOMEGA 20 GB hard drive-based backup system that runs from a USB port, and a 100 MB IOMEGA zip drive. (The zip drive is best used to back up daily-used data that must be transferred between computers. As a full system backup, it is useless due to small capacity per disk. But it is an excellent method to transfer, for example,

book to my publisher. Since the backup system is easy to use, take advantage of it. You will be ecstatic the first time you have to recover data, or must rid the text of this

of a computer reformatting your hard drive.

your system

virus

by

minimum

a 17-inch monitor.

The standard

15-

inch monitors are simply inadequate.

What To Watch Out For Bench

test

your monitor

at a

computer

Check the outside corners for fuzzy display areas or distortion. Ensure that you can set brightness and contrast controls for comfortable viewing without overdriving the screen. (Overdriving is evident as poor focus and excessive glare, and will prematurely age the monitor.) Reflected glare from the monitor face can also retailer before purchase.

be a problem, though many monitors come with an anti-glare screen. Get a green monitor if possible. A green monitor has circuitry that makes it sleep if left unattended for a period of time. A sleeping monitor consumes very little energy. Since an average monitor can consume 150 - 200 watts of energy, a green monitor can save you money. The EPA Energy Star seal is on each green monitor, identifying it as an energyconserving computer accessory. Be sure to get a good quality .28-dot pitch or better SVGA monitor. Many vendors will try to get rid of their obsolete .39 dot pitch

The Monitor By now, you know how important a good monitor is. Your monitor will probably outlive everything else in your system, so get

exactly

what you want.

If

you

will be happier

monitors, so don't be the next victim. You will notice the difference.

time in front of your monitor, consider an LCD monitor. They are If

you spend a

lot of

55

flicker

and radiation

free. If

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

you have been

getting headaches during or after a long day in front of the computer, the flicker and radiation

LCD

spend

I

lots of

time in front of my new I switched over, the

monitor, and since

headaches have

left

the building forever.

The Mouse In the beginning of personal computing, a

mouse was a keyboard was

rarity

on

a

DOS

computer; the

the primary input device.

With

the advent of sophisticated, graphics-intensive

programs, the mouse has replaced the keyboard as the primary input device. The advent of Windows and Windowsbased programs occurred primarily because of the Macintosh success story. If you give someone an easy-to-use computer without a

maze

of

commands

to learn, they will learn

quickly and enjoy using it. A clean graphic user interface with icons, a mouse, and very

memorization makes for a comfortable computing environment. When choosing a mouse, consider the fact that a $10 mouse will do most of the things a $100 mouse will. If you have no particular reason to choose one mouse over another, consider saving money and purchasing an inexpensive Microsoft-compatible mouse little

instead of the high-priced spread. If

you have applications

that require a high-

resolution mouse, such as engineering, drafting,

55

or design, you will have to purchase a

expensive alternative. Figure 3-8

mouse

from your monitor might be contributing factors.

•

alternatives

commonly

You might spend

a

a stationary trackball.

more

shows several

available.

few bucks more and buy A primary reason is you

might have no desk space for a conventional mouse and pad. The other reason is the increased resolution obtained. A trackball is nothing more than an upside-down mouse. The ball is rotated with the thumb and the rest of

mouse just lies there on the table. The mouse plugs into a serial port on your computer. As you move the mouse, the ball moves two or more wheels. The wheels have holes or indentations, which interrupt a light the

path to photosensitive diodes or transistors. This creates a data stream, which enters the computer through the serial port. Using the buttons causes additional data bits to enter the data path into the computer. The I/O card or built in function decodes the data stream to know exactly what the mouse pointer is pointing at when you make a selection.

The mouse,

like all accessories,

must be

configured in software to be useful. Windows 9X, Windows 2K, Windows XP, and several other operating systems have embedded PnP software functions to detect and configure

your mouse. Other software requires you install a driver for the mouse, and one normally comes with it for that purpose.

Mouse

drivers are available for

on the Web

new mice

all

as well.

When

purchasing a mouse, be certain to get a high-resolution mouse if you will be doing high-level design work. If you just want a pointer and don't need the resolution,

can get

you

even the do not buy

off inexpensively. Since

inexpensive type lasts a long time, a high-end one if you do not need it.

The Keyboard The keyboard is the most abused part of your computer. You will bang on it when things don't work, spill your drink of choice into

USB

trackball,

standard trackball,

all

USB mouse, and

types of mice.

a

and

fall

asleep on

it

occasionally.

It

however, give you the least trouble of any part of your computer. Unlike the typewriter, the computer

will,

Figure 3-8:

it,

56

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

keyboard has no real standardization. You can blame the independent manufacturers for this. Everyone has his own idea of which keys

should be placed where, and

how many

function keys are necessary.

Newer keyboards are almost microcomputers themselves, with a ROM-based operating system and processor installed on their main boards. They store keystrokes and

•

types. Remember this point, however: printers typically outlast most of your computer accessories, so get one you can live with a long time. The first color printers were dot-matrix printers with a color kit, which consisted of a ribbon with three-color bands and a black band. Special software was necessary to drive the print head up and down the ribbon to

generate unique codes for each key pressed. They even know when you want to repeat a

produce color images.

keystroke.

printers

Many specialized keyboards exist, and you may go crazy trying them out, but try you

to the

must. This keypad will be in front of you for a long time. Purchase your keyboard only after trying out many different types. Like the mouse, you can spend $100 or more on a keyboard, or as little as $9. Pick a keyboard you will be happy with many years, since they last a very long time.

The advantage

of current dot-matrix

is cost. The lower initial cost is added lower cost per page of printed material. A good dot-matrix printer can be purchased for around $40 with the color ribbon and software. Dot-matrix printers come in narrow and wide styles. The wide style can handle the

llxl4-inch paper commonly used to print

with text and photos for

ledgers and spreadsheets. Most dot-matrix printers use fanfold continuous feed paper. Disadvantages of this type of printer include lower print quality than other types of printers and extremely slow color printing. The noise from a dot matrix printer is often very uncomfortable. They have a very small print buffer and are generally without scaleable fonts. (Scaleable fonts are text styles that can be made larger or smaller by newer printers.) Ink-jet printers normally cost from $90 to

a usable single-pass color in the $50 - $300 range, and it

$600, and are a quantum leap from the dotmatrix printer. HP invented the ink-jet printer, and holds a vast portion of the current market

Extras

Now for the fun stuff: Have you ever looked at a picture and thought you would like to see it every time you turned on your computer? All you have to do is scan the picture into your computer. Or maybe you'd like to

56

make

fliers

friends or clients.

The price of

scanner is makes an economical and enjoyable addition to your system. When you look for a scanner, insist on one

TWAIN TWAIN-compatible. is that (technology without an interesting name) is an application programming interface, or API specification, that several large corporations jointly developed. This helped standardize the device drivers for the scanners, so you will not have configuration headaches using your scanner in different programming environments. One that works from a USB port is the best choice.

share.

A

color ink-jet printer

about $200 with the color

from

HP will

cost

kit included.

A

competitor, Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), often advertises their color ink jet printer for about $180 and includes a $40 mail-in rebate.

Several ink jet printer manufacturers include a fax machine in their printers. They can be used as a copier or printer. HP and Ricoh both make these machines. Laser printers do premium black and white printing. They normally have resolution of 300 to 600 dpi (dots per inch). The common

The Printer

resolution for a low-cost ink-jet printer is also 300 to 600 dpi, but the laser image always

To round out the peripheral and accessory section of this book, let's look at printer

looks better. Today's laser printers are available for $150 and up.

57

•

SHOPPING FOR A COMPUTER

Laser printers,

at four to 50 pages per minute, are the fastest printers available for home computing. The technology behind the laser printer is a book in itself, but this

most of them: A laser printer utilizes complex optics and mirrors to write text and graphics onto a photosensitive description

fits

drum

assembly. The laser beam is swept across the drum, pulsing in intensity to identify light and dark areas. The laser beams onto the drum, sensitizing the dark areas, where printable material is encoded. As the drum rotates through the toner material, the sensitized areas pick up the carbon toner. Paper is pressed against the drum, picking up the toner. The paper is heated, fusing the toner to the paper. Except for the laser, this system is similar to a standard copy machine. Copy machines are just beginning to use this lowerrotating

method as well. The prices range from about $150 for a good 15 page per minute 600 dpi unit to around $2,500 for a 50+ page per minute unit with 1,200 dpi quality. They can't commonly cost

do color at an affordable price. If you wish to spend $1,000 to $10,000, you can have a Xerox, Tektronix, or

This price

is

QMS

laser color printer.

10 times the cost of a good color

Laser printers can use lower quality paper but some paper will eventually clog up the printer. The high level of solid particulate easily,

material

associated

with

cheap paper

57

laser printer because of the difference in toner

and ink

capacities.

summary,

In

occasional

if

get an inexpensive dot-

letter,

matrix printer.

you only print an

you often print

If

in color

but

don't need laser quality resolution, get a good ink-jet printer. If you print tons of high

quality black and white

documents, get

letter-quality

a laser printer.

versatile setup

is

to

The most

have a 600 dpi laser

printer and a color ink-jet printer.

Power and Line Voltage Conditioning Nearly everyone has experienced a power blackout or brownout. These interruptions in power can be harmful or destructive to your computer. If you live where lightning strikes are commonplace, you know the amount of damage they can cause. Plan on purchasing a power strip with surge protection for your computer. Power surges, caused

damage

by

line voltage fluctuation, often

or destroy

home

electronics. Lightning

strikes, power pole damage, or any sudden load on the power grid in your area can cause them. You will be adding $30 to the price of your system, but this is an inexpensive insurance

policy, considering the investment.

An

ink jet printer.

•

power supply, or UPS, is a necessary purchase if you live in an electrically uninterruptible

A

computer plugged into a UPS largely ignores blackouts, brownouts, and challenged area.

electrical storms.

A UPS

is

a stand-alone

power

of the laser

source that converts direct current voltage from

you

a set of internal batteries into 60-cycle 120 VAC.

use cheap paper. Laser printers format data before printing, is a necessity. so a print buffer of 4 to 16 Most laser printers have built in scaleable

The UPS is plugged into the wall socket, and the computer draws power through the UPS from the wall socket. If power is interrupted for any reason, the UPS starts up immediately and supplies power to anything plugged into it

eventually impairs the workings printer, so clean the

paper path often

if

MB

fonts for

more

two options add

A

flexibility in printing.

These

without any interruption in service.

to the printing speed. -

typical laser printer will get 2,000 4,000 pages or more from a toner cartridge. Most ink-jet printers can only print about 300

600 pages per ink cartridge. The average price for a laser toner cartridge is between $40 and $100, while color ink jet cartridges cost $20 - $40. Expect to spend more time maintaining an ink-jet printer than the average -

When

choosing a power-conditioning you assess your needs

device, be certain that

honestly. Trying to save a cost

you hundreds

We

few

dollars

now can

later.

have looked at truth in advertising in the computer store, studied types of systems, and examined in reasonable detail the components of a computer system. We have

58

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

reviewed peripherals and accessories. With the information presented up to now, you can make intelligent choices regarding the specific components you want in your system. When you decide on your components, you will have created an integrated working computer model. This model will serve as your dream machine for comparison with store-bought systems.

•

58

Put together on paper the system you Compare your dream system to actual hardware on sale at a retail vendor. Try out a system that closely matches your model, and be certain your plan has omitted nothing important. When you finish this exercise, you have removed all doubt that you will be satisfied with your system. desire.

4

Designing

Your

Computer and System PRICES OF COMPUTER COMPONENTS RELATIVE

TO THE WHOLE COMPUTER Component

S

COST

Price*

Percentage of

Motherboard, Pentium 4 Case, mid-tower

Microprocessor, P4

Ram, 256

MB RDRAM

Video card, GeForce Pro 32

Hard

80

GB

Whole

$159

11.60

$29

2.07

$449

32.81

$102

7.44

$79

5.76

$210

15.31

Floppy disk, 1.44 MB, 2 each

$25

1.82

Keyboard, 101

$12

0.88

disk,

style

Mouse, three-button Monitor, 19 inch, .26 dpi,

*Your prices will find at this

one

is

The

flat

screen

will be lower, but this

any

time.

A

$1,371. Build

is

$7

0.51

$299

21.8

representative of the ratios

you

comparable pre-built system costs $2,299, but it

yourself and save money!

prices above are for a typical Pentium

RDRAM

4,

2

GHz

system with 256 MB of video card with 32 MB of VRAM. hard drive and two 3.5-inch floppy drives are included. The rest of this chapter will show you how to select 59

and a good quality AGP A Western Digital 80 GB

60

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

components for your computer. You will be shown how to make your shopping list and given the information to allow you to intelligently select the accessories you need. When you finish this chapter, you will have a list of the components to build exactly the computer you want. One necessary consideration is your software requirement. After selecting your software, be certain that the computer you are building will support the software you plan to use. Failing to do so is a common mistake that people who buy packaged systems often make. The system looks good enough but unless the buyer has done his homework, he goes home the

with a system that does not fit his needs. Keep your current and future software

requirements in mind as you select your components and you will not be disappointed or unpleasantly surprised.

MAKING YOUR SHOPPING

LIST

•

60

The motherboards readily available today are, from slowest to fastest, the Celeron PCI, the AMD Duron PCI, the Pentium 3 and 4, and the AMD Athalon XP. Pricing is approximate, but here are some guidelines. Expect to procure an upgradable Pentium 3/Celeron motherboard for $70 to $100. It has onboard EIDE I/O and onboard sound card support.

A

Pentium 4 PCI motherboard with pipeline burst cache and onboard EIDE I/O will run you about $105 without the processor but remember, it supports faster RDRAM. Now, hold onto your pocketbook. The Intel motherboard that supports the Pentium 4, 2 GHz microprocessor runs about $185 without the processor, which is about $400. This motherboard has full support for RDRAM, sound, onboard network card, and a modem riser card. These prices will generally fall with time and serve as references only. The hottest processors on the market today are Intel's Pentium 4 and Athalon models. The CPU assembly looks more like an add-on card than a CPU, and the motherboard faster

AMD

have never seen any book or periodical you information on exactly what to buy to make a computer; other books discuss some features of a few necessary components and leave the rest as guesswork. This book is the exception. My objective in this chapter is to eliminate any doubt in your mind that you are buying exactly what you want and need. If I

that gives

you follow my instructions, you will wind up with the best possible computer for your requirements and have more money in your pocket than you expected. As detailed in Chapter 1, the minimum components required to build a computer are the case, a motherboard, the microprocessor, the RAM, a video card, either onboard IDE I/O or an IDE I/O card, a hard disk, a floppy disk, a keyboard, a mouse, and a monitor.

The Motherboard with the motherboard. The Start motherboard determines the required characteristics of the rest of the

components.

shows an Athalon motherboard PCI bus. The PCI slots are the short

Figure 4-1 with the

slots next to the

AGP

connector in the middle.

is unique, costing about $150. The processors range in price from $150 to $500, at frequencies from 1 GHz to beyond 2 GHz. Someone asked me about quality and mechanical configuration issues recently, so they will be addressed now. Quality between different manufacturers is very similar. The primary reason is component vendors have no

sense of humor when it comes to returned items, and they will not tolerate any manufacturer who does not conform to their

The quality issue is resolved before the customer gets involved. It is necessary, when doing large volumes of business, to start and maintain a good quality-control system. Motherboards determine the ultimate use and performance of your computer. Choose the motherboard that supports your processor of choice and select the fastest RAM available in the configuration you choose. Ensure the standards.

motherboard supports the fastest RAM for the processor in question. Know and understand that RDRAM for the Pentium 4 processors and for the Athalon-based processors DDR

RAM

61

•

DESIGNING YOUR COMPUTER AND SYSTEM

is

•

61

suitable for adding extra goodies

later. It

has

power supply, more connectors, a and more room for tape drives, CDROMs, extra hard drives, and additional a larger

larger fan,

floppy drives.

Mini-towers are generally the best buy, and around $20 to $25 will buy a good one. If you do not plan on the combination of a DVDROM, two floppy drives, an internal tape drive, and a CD-ROM, a mini tower will suffice. Figure 4-2 shows a mini-tower case. This case is suitable for the majority of

AMD

Figure 4-1. Athalon motherboard for the 1.4GHz Processor and DDR

Note that if you machine that might be a little steep,

are the current state of the

art.

are not building an extremely fast

RAM particularly in the RDRAM category. these choices in

The motherboard

in

Figure 4-1

is

an

example of a good, reliable, fast Athalon-based motherboard with support for DDR RAM. It includes sockets for extended modem capability with voice, and a 4X AGP slot, the premium setup for extremely fast graphics and

game

support.

This should be enough information to pick a motherboard to fit your needs and budget. different Configuration between

manufacturers

components

is

motherboards and of tightly controlled by the

standards to which each component has adhere. Without going into extensive detail, it

suffice to say that the

components

to let

that are

make an IBM-compatible PC are, for the most part, completely interchangeable used

to

within the families.

The Case Get the case that suits your future needs. If you want a desktop case, you are somewhat limited in what can be put inside. Remember also that the primary reason for moving from the desktop case is your health. A monitor placed on a desktop case is too high to view without neck and back strain. The medium-tower case is a good buy and

computers, but the larger medium tower allows an additional bay for an internal tape drive. There are so many types and styles of cases that it would take hours to describe them all. Since it is one of the most visible parts of your computer, make your choice carefully. The case will generally outlive upgradable items such as the motherboard and all internal components, so get a case you are comfortable with, one that will serve your current and future requirements. When you evaluate your need for a computer case, consider future expansion. Though most people select a mini-tower case

and most purchased computers come with one, you may decide to add enough peripheral equipment to make a mini-tower useless. Add up the equipment you will be installing in your computer and are planning to purchase over the next several months before you firm up a decision on your case requirements. For example, if you decide to install two hard drives, a tape backup system, a CD-ROM drive, and two floppy drives, you have one more device than you have drive bays. A medium tower is your most viable choice with these peripherals. Most vendors have a good selection of cases. Ask for the advantages and disadvantages of each case you are interested in before you make your decision to buy. Buy enough case for your predicted future requirements and be certain to look at a sample case to confirm it will actually suit your needs before making the purchase. The mini-tower and full tower cases have

62

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62

developed around a 16-bit bus instead of the standard 64-bit bus. It runs at only 800 MHz, but with a 16-bit bus that is equivalent to the 200 MHz speed of DDR RAM. DDR RAM uses a 64-bit bus.

Figure 4-2.

A

The equivalent data

rates are the

same (800 divided by 4 is equal to 200 MHz). You need 64 MB of RAM to run most 32bit applications, including Windows 9X and Windows NT, with any degree of speed. You need at least 24 additional megabytes of RAM to run most office and desktop suites, and 32 MB is better. That means it is a good idea to plan on at least 128 MB of RAM to allow Windows 98, 2000, NT, or XP to properly perform multitasking, for which all of these operating systems were designed. The most

mini-tower case.

common memory

128 MB. Soon, due to 32-bit applications, the most common size will be 256 MB. Get 256 now and you will be glad you did. Plan on buying SDRAM if you are making capacity today

is

MB

the

same

configuration.

The difference

is

the

medium tower

has an additional 5.25-inch bay. The mini tower will support two hard drives, 3.5-inch drives and 5.25-inch drives. The

medium tower

adds the third 5.25-inch bay.

RAM The type

motherboard you purchase will determine the RAM you buy. You may have banks for 72-pin SIMM only, 72-pin SIMM and 168-pin DIMM, or 168-pin DIMM only. DIMM are primarily utilized on Pentium Celeron and Athalon Duron motherboards

of

for

SDRAM.

The fastest computers use DDR RAM or Rambus-manufactured DRAM. The AMD processors lean toward DDR RAM, and Pentium 4 utilizes the RDRAM. Both are extremely

fast architectures.

utilizes a "dual

DDR RAM

pumped" technique

for

increased performance, which allows data to be clocked both on the rising and falling edge of a clock pulse. (The clock pulses are nothing but a way for the microprocessor to tell the RAM when to move data.) This symbol |_| represents a falling clock edge followed by a rising clock edge. Normal RAM would pass one set of data, while DDR RAM would pass two sets of data, making it twice as fast per (

)

clock pulse.

RDRAM

utilizes a different architecture,

AMD

Duron or Intel Celeron machine. Plan on expensive RDRAM for a Pentium 4, an

and cost-effective DDR RAM for use with an Athalon or Athalon XP-based computer. You now have the case, motherboard, CPU, and RAM specified for your system. The next thing to look at is the video adapter card.

Video Adapter Remember, the video adapter

an addon card that converts digital information from your computer into signals used to display information on your monitor. The range in video performance for a computer is

is

staggering.

You can purchase a basic PCI video card for as little as $22 - $35. This card will have 32 MB of video RAM, but no bells and whistles. The next step up is a 2X AGP video card with 32 or 64 MB of RAM. These cards will be priced in the $44 - $75 dollar range.

The next jump card with

TV

is

a 64

MB

this baby.

for a generic

video

outputs and significant 3-D and

virtual reality support. Plan

$300 for

4X AGP

This

is

on releasing up

to

not the best choice

home computer

unless you have

programs like AutoCad or the games installed.

latest

video

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DESIGNING YOUR COMPUTER AND SYSTEM

AGP

Video Cards Diamond Fire G1 1000

The dominated

this

category

at

selection.

series

one time,

introducing accelerated graphics port (AGP) capability. Now nearly every motherboard has a 2X or 4X AGP port and all video card manufacturers offer several products to fit this

enhanced IO bus. There are dozens of game video adapters available. Beware of a video adapter that supports only one or two 3-D games— it will be expensive and perhaps not compatible with forthcoming software packages. The average Duron or Celeron user should purchase a 2X AGP video card with 32 MB of

RAM.

you are building the fastest machine in either the Pentium 4 or Athalon category, go ahead and spill your wallet for a 4X AGP video card with 64 MB of RAM. To do otherwise will definitely show up in performance. Why spend more money for a better video adapter? The reasons vary, but support for graphics-intensive programs is the primary reason. The speed of an AGP video adapter is significant in high-end 3-D applications like solids modeling and CAD programs. The other primary user of high-end graphics adapters is the extreme game player. The new 32- and 64-bit video games use MPEG video compression to store embedded video clips in computer games. Only the best video adapters can display the video clips smoothly. If your requirements fit in these categories, consider a high-end If

video adapter a necessity.

The Hard Disk Hard disks come in all shapes and sizes, in capacities from 10 GB to more than 180 GB in IDE format, and well beyond 200 GB in

SCSI format.

What do you need and why?

If

your

intended applications are considerable, your hard-disk capacity requirements will match. Consider the software you will be installing and get a hard disk with a minimum capacity

much. Access times are similar for most hard

of twice or three times that

disks today, so this factor

is

not significant in

You

63

•

will find the prices are pretty

similar, too.

The most popular hard drives today are high-capacity IDE hard drives. Conner, Maxtor, Quantum, Seagate, and Western Digital all make hard drives in excess of 100 GB. Conner, Maxtor, and Western Digital make drives in the 180-GB range and beyond. Both Conner and Seagate make large capacity hard drives in SCSI format. If you are planning on installing a SCSI adapter for any reason, consider one of these.

What If I

to Buy...

were assembling

a budget computer,

I

IDE hard drive, 40-GB IDE hard drives

would purchase

a smaller

such as the 20-

to

were making a fast Pentium or clone machine I would double up a pair of Western Digital 100-GB hard drives for about $200 to $220 each. There are many variations in size and price between these two extremes, and also 200-GB hard disks and beyond. Just look at everything available available for about $70. If

I

before you decide, and remember that the newest hard disks are overpriced in comparison with drives a few months older.

Floppy Drives Most people will buy only one 3.5-inch floppy drive for a first time computer. The

who

should even consider a 5.25inch floppy drive are owners of older computer with data or software on 5.25-inch disks. Some people, like myself, have to duplicate data disks often for clients, and a pair of 3.5-inch floppies makes this easy. (The only people

DOS Diskcopy program identical drives

supports

dual

and makes exact duplicates

of

a disk in one pass.)

Important things to consider when buying a floppy drive are price and adaptability. Though floppy drives once cost hundreds of dollars, today's prices for floppy drives range from $10 to $15. Never pay more than $15 for a Sony or Teac 3.5 inch 1.44 MB floppy drive. For adaptability, the floppy drive should include a 5.25-inch mounting kit so you can install the drive in either 3.5-inch or

5.25-inch

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bays in your case. Since floppy drives are so similar in all other respects, including longevity and quality, these are the two primary issues to keep in mind.

CD-ROMs or DVD-ROMs in a case that already has at least one DMA-66 hard drive. Figure 4-3 shows an EIDE I/O card, which supports four hard drives or CD-ROMS or DVD-ROMs, two

Keyboard and Mouse Like your pillow and mattress, your mouse and keyboard are individual and personal. Nobody touches my mouse without my

permission! Since most of the operations you perform on a computer require one of both of them, you should purchase wisely.

There are numerous designs, types, and configurations of the keyboard. Ergonomic keyboards suit the power user because they conform to the individual requirements of someone who spends hours on a computer. A casual user may be happy with a $12 keyboard conforming to the AT specification. The best place to test drive keyboards is a computer store, or even a large department store. They

have a selection of computers available with a wide variety of peripherals from which will

to choose.

There are as many types of mice as keyboards, and I recommend trying several out before purchasing. Try the stationary trackball mouse as well. If you have limited desk space, a trackball is a good choice. Remember to evaluate both two-button and three-button mice. A three-button mouse allows you to program the middle button in certain applications and can save you hours

64

•

floppy drives, and I/O

functions, such as a parallel printer port, a game adapter port for a joystick or flight controller,

and two

data ports.

serial

In current versions, this card has Ethernet capability as well. This

component speeds up

Internet data transmission, particularly through a cable modem. Obviously a motherboard with these built-in functions reduces the need for an add-on card in all but the most extensively loaded systems, but if the built-in function fails on a motherboard, provisions on the motherboard allow you to add a card like this to restore the function.

The Monitor You must try out all types of monitors before you consider a purchase in this department. The monitor you like may not work for anyone else. Everyone looks at monitors differently;

many

that's

why

different types available.

there are so

The monitor

features most computers users are concerned

with are the

size of the screen,

interlaced or non-interlaced,

The

largest screen

is

and

whether

if it is digital.

Pricing for mice and keyboards varies widely from store to store. I purchase

inexpensive ones for people

personal

I

build

for,

know they will be the first things owner replaces to suit his own

taste.

For $20 you can buy a keyboard and threebutton Microsoft-compatible mouse. You can also spend $75 for a Logitech trackball and upward of $100 for an ergonomic keyboard, if

you wish.

IDE I/O The only time you will be interested in this is if you plan on installing multiple

add-in card

Figure 4-3.

An

is

not necessarily the

of typing.

because I the new

it

I/O and Ethernet add-in card.

65

•

DESIGNING YOUR COMPUTER AND SYSTEM

65

•

for

about a

Green monitors have an energy-saving

good

digital

feature that allows you to set a timer to shut

Shamrock 17-inch non-interlaced SVGA

15-inch monitor will

them down when not in use. This is an EPA plus often ignored by computer buyers that can save you money in utility bills, particularly if you occasionally leave your

probably give you a headache, too, because the image is so small. If you use your computer more than twice a week, do yourself a favor and get at least a 17-inch monitor or a

computer unattended and turned on. Monitor prices vary by manufacturer. A 15-inch monitor should cost around $100 if it is digital, non-interlaced, and SVGA. The .28-

best.

monitor

tried a 21-inch

I

week, then came back

to a

monitor.

The

21 -inch monitor

some

my

faster

giving

of

me

15-inch

was ghosting on moving applications and

a headache.

LCD

monitor.

Most people prefer interlaced

A

SVGA

monitor.

It

combines

all

the

good features in an affordable package. If you have high-definition graphics, such as Autocad drawings, multiple layer schematics, or PCB layout applications, a 19-inch or larger monitor is necessary. Most other applications run very well on a good 17-inch monitor. Disregard 15inch monitors, except in LCD format. (A 15inch LCD monitor has nearly the same viewable measurements as a 17-inch picture tube monitor. This is because the measurement scheme of a picture tube monitor includes a portion of the monitor that is not viewable because of the bezel surrounding the picture tube.) Now let's discuss non-interlaced monitors. A non-interlaced monitor writes the screen with data in one pass. An interlaced monitor, like a television, writes the even numbered lines in one pass and the odd numbered lines in the next, meaning it takes two passes to display one screen. Doing this causes a visible

on the screen, which often results in eye fatigue. Get the non-interlaced monitor. (There is no flicker on a LCD monitor due to

flicker

the technology behind the display.)

A

digital

monitor can be preset

to a

number of different display control settings, any one of which can be automatically recalled with the

push of

a button. This

is

important if several people use the computer because each can customize the display to his liking. You may like different brightness, contrast, and screen sizes in different programs, and can set the monitor to display your preferences at will. Most digital monitors can be controlled by software as well.

A

17-inch with similar around $125. Expect to pay about $400 for a digital 21-inch monitor. Remember, most computers sold in stores come with a small 15-inch monitor; when comparing system prices, plan to replace it. A 15-inch LCD monitor will cost you around $250. These items and prices give you an idea of what it costs to build a basic computer. You have noticed it is much less than a packaged system. Now that you have prices for the basic computer, it is time to look at the add-on stuff you will include to make this system your own

dot pitch

a 17-inch digital non-

is

mandatory.

specifications should run

personal computer.

Personalizing Your Computer Most computer users have unique operational needs. These may include

requirements

adding pictures to presentations, faxing from within documents, and surfing the 'Net. The proper combination for

of hardware and software allows you, the user,

perform virtually any task from your computer. What follows now is a brief look at to

the options available.

Talking to Other Computers In a business environment where seemingly everyone in the company has a computer, local area networks (LAN) provide the link between users. A LAN can be wired or wireless, depending on the needs of the company. Most home computer users have little interest in networking unless they have more than one computer. For this user, the ability to connect computers directly by cable is supported in Windows 9X, 2K, and NT. There are also

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66

third-party programs that provide more enhanced networking functionality through direct cable connection than these programs.

The

Modem

Most home computers communicate via modem. This requires support software. If you purchase a modem,

it

the software that allows

should come with all you to use it as a fax

machine, an Internet access device, and a

modem. A basic 56K internal fax/modem can

full-

Figure 4-4.

featured

from $10

external

modem.

cost

depending on the brand. The external version of 56K modems is priced between $35 and $45. An external modem, like the one in Figure to $20,

you monitor what the modem is The lights on the front panel show

on but DSL remains consistent both upstream and downstream. There is more on cable modems and DSL later in this chapter.

4-4, lets

doing.

An

communication occurring. Another good thing about external modems is you can turn them off instantly. The additional cost is due to packaging and power supply requirements. For those looking for faster communication over the phone lines, the ISDN (integrated services digital network) connection is another low-cost option. The system was designed to replace standard analog phone lines with faster digital lines. Compare the 1 megabit per second transfer rate to the 33,600 bit per second rate for a good modem and you can see why it is preferable. Other advantages of ISDN are clean digital voice, fax, and even highquality video transmission. ISDN modems are priced between $100 and $300, but expect prices to fall. Installation costs about $160. The service itself is $28 to $34 monthly, not unlike standard phone service. Cable modem service, available from your cable supplier, is 10 times faster, however, and readily available. The cost ranges from $30 to $60, depending on your existing cable subscription. Unlike modem surfing, you are always logged on, so you never get a busy signal. Another method of communication is DSL. uses existing phone line twisted pair so it is not as clean as a cable modem, but in many instances it is faster. A cable modem slows down considerably with each user that signs

CD-ROM A CD-ROM drive is no longer an option; it has become a necessity for anyone who prefers easy software installation or enjoys computer multimedia entertainment. Forget dumping 10 to 30 floppy disks into your computer to load a software package. One CD holds the storage equivalent of 400 to 500 floppies. The principal use of a CD-ROM drive today is running large multimedia packages. One or two of these programs loaded onto a hard disk could fill up 1.2 GB of hard drive space completely. Most educational and

CD-ROM now. CD-ROM drives available

reference material comes on

There are even that can record in multi-speeds. They are

It

Figure 4-5.

computer.

A CD-ROM

drive,

one of two in

this

67

designed to

ROM

fit

in the

drive occupies.

DESIGNING YOUR COMPUTER AND SYSTEM

•

same space a normal CD-

Some people use

a

CD-R

drive to archive large amounts of data. This a good idea, particularly

if

the data

is in

is

the

form of video clips or other memory-hungry applications, because large volumes of data— up to 650 MB— can be stored on one disk. Companies that store data for long periods of time, including hospitals and legal practices, can benefit from the durable nature of a recordable CD-ROM disk. Figure 4-5 shows an internal

bay

in

CD-ROM

drive

your computer.

write the

same disk

Prices for

made It is

a

to

fit

a 5.25-inch

CD-RW

and can

repeatedly.

CD-ROM

drives are pretty

The 48X IDE CD-ROM is available for about $20, 52X drives are going for $30 or less, and the 16X DVD drives bring in about consistent.

$55 to $75, depending on brand name. What's in a name? Check the features. The more expensive CD-ROM drives by NEC have a large cache buffer, which allows the drive to transfer data to your computer faster. Ask around and get the CD-ROM drive that fits your budget and requirements. (The 52X, 48X, and 16X mentioned are speeds. A 4X CD-ROM is four times faster than a single speed. See Chapter 3 for a review on CD-ROM speeds and more information.)

•

67

DVD

drive is less than $100. A packaged system is a good idea for the person who does not want to customize his sound card or speakers, and is a great idea for anyone a

16X

who

complicated installation. Remember, however, that you can probably save between $25 and $30 by buying these fears

a

items separately.

systems have become commonplace in computers sold today.

Multimedia

Unfortunately, the clone business

The clones

these systems.

is

some

in

invading

"fast-food"

computers often have compatibility problems with some programs, leading to headaches later on. These show up when new software stretches the capabilities of the clone cards.

The most affected clone card in this area is a sound card claiming to be "Sound-Blaster compatible." I found out the hard way that there

is

comes

no substitute for the sound cards.

when

real thing

it

to

Sound Cards

Many sound

cards

exist,

and most are

Sound-Blaster compatible. But since

cards

have

to

emulate

all

sound

Sound Blaster

characteristics to be compatible with the largest variety of software, just

Blaster card.

Then you

buy

a

Sound

will not have to be

Another way to acquire a CD-ROM is purchase a multimedia package. The package will normally include a CD-ROM drive, a sound card, speakers, and several software titles bundled with the hardware. Multimedia

concerned about any compatibility problems between your programs and sound card. Prices for sound cards oscillate around the Sound-Blaster prices, so I will give you prices

due

prices are approximations; everything changes

primarily to the differences in the individual

computer world. These are a few common Sound-Blaster cards and serve as representative performance levels of all sound

packages can vary widely

in price,

components. (Unless the software particularly appeal to you,

I

titles

suggest buying the

individual components. You will save money.)

for the Sound-Blaster family. Again, these fast in the

cards available.

A Multimedia Packages Without Software Multimedia packages that do not include software titles are composed of the CD-ROM drive, a 32-bit sound card with amplified speakers, and an AC adapter for the speakers. They have installation software included, plus all required cables and instructions. A package with a 52X IDE CD-ROM drive costs less than $75 and the same package with

$29.

32-bit

Sound

The next

Blaster Pro will cost

step

up

is

around

the surround-sound

version, at $35 or so. A jump to 64-voice performance costs around $50, and is called the Sound Blaster Live! Audigy. The platinum version is more than $100. Advantages of the more expensive cards are discussed in Chapter 3. Figure 4-6 shows a standard 64-bit Sound Blaster Live! sound card. This generic sound card is the most commonly available, and is

68

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68

ink-jet printer for identical copies is five to six

more expensive than with a laser printer. The best reason to get an ink-jet printer is color printing. If you have kids, get an ink jet. If you need presentation-quality color printing for work or home use, the ink jet is the only way to go. Many ink-jet printers will do neartimes

photographic quality printing.

And

don't forget price. The ink-jet printers

are cheap.

The Epson

Stylus color ink-jet printer costs less than $100 today. The average HP laser printer, on the other hand, lists in the same catalog for $199. Both are near the lower Figure 4-6.

A Sound

Blaster Live! sound card being

primarily used by superstores in their fastfood systems. It has some of the features available on the real thing, but lacks many of

more sophisticated

Scanners

features.

by

The family of optical character readers, commonly called scanners, is being expanded daily. As scanners become more popular, they also become more affordable. When scanners first became available to the masses, they cost upward of $6,000. Today's full-page color

color ink-jet printer about

scanners can be purchased for less than $100. Hand-held scanners are even more affordable.

Printers I have found recently that the printer market is shifting toward the inexpensive color ink-jet home printer. This family of printers

two years, dropped hundreds of dollars.

has, in the last

several I

manufacturers to run sale prices down to the $150 range. You should purchase the printer that suits your long-term needs, since printers typically last a long time and are relatively expensive to replace. laser printer

installed.

the

end of the price range in their respective though it is not uncommon for

disciplines,

HP

bought an

two years

ago.

I

thought

I

in price

paid an unbeatable

price. I was wrong! The average price for a color ink-jet printer with at least 300 dpi resolution is under $150. This makes obsolete everything except a good laser printer. I feel the two choices for home printers are a good ink-jet printer or a high-quality laser printer. The amount of black and white printing you do should influence your decision. If you do mostly high-quality blackand-white printing, get a laser printer. The speed of a laser printer is up to 10 times faster than an ink jet and the print quality is at least

You can purchase a monochrome, hand-held scanner for around $15 and the color version for $35.

The most important thing to know about scanners is the difference between true and interpolated resolution. Many inexpensive scanners use interpolation software to fill in the dots and advertise an interpolated resolution much higher that their actual performance. These scanners have true resolutions of 300 to 400 dpi, but report resolutions of

up

to 2,400 dpi!

Most scanners come with

OCR

optical character

allows a scanner to

four times better.

recognition software.

Consider price per copy when evaluating your printer needs. For black-and-white printing, a laser printer is much cheaper to

recognize each character of a document you scan and import the text into your computer for processing. You can then edit or fax the document as required. Obviously, anything you scan into your computer can be added to a

operate.

A

toner cartridge will outlast several

ink-jet cartridges

and the

cost per

copy on an

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•

DESIGNING YOUR COMPUTER AND SYSTEM

prepared document, including pictures. This fact makes a scanner a very useful tool for the

home

office.

YOUR COMPUTER S PROTECTION

•

69

backup systems. Each compresses data by eliminating the unused space in data packets. If, in addition, you use coding to replace repetitive terms, you can approach 50 in

percent compression. In addition to removing the white space or

Here are some of the issues you must address in order to ensure a safe environment for

your computer and peripheral equipment.

Software Safety If you have ever experienced a hard disk crash but had not backed up your system, you know exactly what true horror is. You get to expend many hours trying to get back to where you were before the crash. Another thing to think about when considering such unspeakable disasters is the possibility of a computer virus invading your otherwise perfect system. Every time you go online or insert a disk into your system you risk infection.

The solution

to either of these

problems

is

having a recent tape backup of everything on your system. With large disk capacities, the safest and most cost-effective way to keep an exact duplicate of everything on your system is tape. Figure 4-7 shows an external tape backup system and two disk-type backup systems. These are my backup systems of choice. The tape drive is for long-term backups, and puts 5 GB on each tape. The disk-type backup systems are both from IOMEGA. The vertically mounted Peerless drive will put 40 GB on a cartridge, while the Zip drive alongside only holds 100 MB. I use the Zip to shuttle copies of this and other books to and from the publisher while I use the Peerless drive to back up the entire computer on a weekly basis. Tape drives are available in internal and external types.

The

expensive

internal drives are

in text files, data compression software searches for repetitive strings. During compression, each string is replaced by a single character, or token. When a program

blank portions

needs a portion of the compressed data, the compression software decompresses the data. Software compression is how most tape drives get 200-MB capacity from a 120-MB DC2120 tape cartridge.

For about $130 you can have an HP T5000 Travan tape drive, with up to 5 GB of storage

per tape. As you

may have

guessed, the average storage capacity is somewhat less, and to get this capacity you must use longer Travan tapes. The external versions of these tape drives are normally $40 to $80 more expensive. The reason is simple. The tape drive must interface to your system in some manner. An internal tape drive shares resources with one of your floppy drives, and even shares a control cable with the drive. An external drive, on the other hand, must have its own power supply and enclosure. It must also have an interface compatible with either your printer port or

much

$40 to $80 less than the tape drive will put up to 5 GB on one cartridge if the data on your hard drive can be software compressed 2:1. The less

external version.

average capacity

What

at

An HP

is

closer to 4.2

GB per tape.

software compression? There are several types of software compression used is

Figure 4-7. Several backup systems today.

commonly used

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70

have its own add-in card. What you are buying with an external one of your

serial ports, or

drive is more hardware and portability to other computers.

Protection from the Elements Review Chapter 3 to determine what type

power protection you require. The minimum should be a good surge suppression power strip. A good strip always comes with an equipment replacement guarantee. If your area has power problems, consider an UPS. These topics are covered at length in Chapter 1. of

Figure 4-8. The tools of the trade.

Looks Toys Toys are nice things

like this is

going to be easier than

thought, the novice computer builder thinks.

to have,

but some toys

become

essential parts of your computer and can both generate enjoyment and facilitate the work you perform. For example, I have a color scanner and use it to enhance documents I create by adding color pictures to them. I also have two game controllers and a host of small accessories too numerous to mention. Some accessories, such as microphones, allow you to interact with your computer in exciting ways. More than toys, my digital camera, memory stick reader, and digital video camera interface have become invaluable tools in my occasional book-writing experiences.

New toys— digital movie

cameras, golf

and more— are coming out all the time. For every new game there is a new function added to existing game controllers. Examine options for playing on your computer, because all work and no play will make any computer user less efficient. You will be amazed when you compare your new computer's performance to the trainers, flight simulators,

What will amaze you more, perhaps, is your newfound willingness and ability to jump in fast-food variety with larger price tags.

What

When

to

Watch Out For

purchasing computer components,

there are a few pitfalls to look out

When

you

first

source for parts, examine how things are packaged. Add-on cards, motherboards, memory, and hard disk drives all have CMOS parts installed on them, which are extremely sensitive to electrostatic damage (ESD). Components of this type should be packaged in static-suppression packaging, such as sealed dark gray, black, or pink polyethylene bags labeled "Attention: Contents static sensitive.'' The motherboard and add-on cards should also be packaged inside a box. The primary reason computer components are DOA or die within the first month is attributable to poor handling of some kind, usually the result of electrostatic damage. Beware of missing or incorrect manuals or documentation. Check the manual against the parts to be certain you have all the

and software, hardware, documentation. The motherboard, hard disk, CD-ROM, and monitor each will come with

proper

a book. Other items

become

two page handout. The

available. list

and an idea of the prices

of the parts you need to look for.

Now

let's

look at the tools required to build a computer. You will find these tools in nearly every household today and, if not, they are inexpensive to purchase.

for.

scope out a prospective

and modify your computer as new options You now have the

I

may come

with a one or

modem

will

come

with software and several other documents, such as a manual for the software and quick setup guides. The CD-ROM will come with driver software and a cable. The sound card will have a book, two cables, and software.

Exactly what comes with each item you

71

•

DESIGNING YOUR COMPUTER AND SYSTEM

•

71

many

purchase varies widely, so be certain you open everything and check the packing list

in the microprocessor department.

for omissions.

AMD

Beware of places offering more than a 3 percent cash discount— the amount normally charged a supplier if he accepts a charge card. (Some get away with 2 percent.) Charge it if you can do it without incurring an additional cost, as you'll have more flexibility on returns

Of

course,

clone chips are available

Expect the

to be much faster Celeron processors and the than Athalon processors to outgun the Pentium 4

Duron processors

the Intel

devices in non-floating point applications.

Those

tips

will

wring

additional speed for enthusiasts live

out some who want to

on the edge.

or exchanges.

Judge quality in the products you purchase by completeness of documentation, proper packaging, and good ESD protection and packaging practices. One of my greatest fears is buying something that I will have to send away for service. Make it mandatory that the stores where you buy components or systems have a service center. If not, you may not be able to easily exchange a defective item.

These are the things I look out for. If you purchase from a catalog, see the cautions I list for catalog ordering later in this book. The cautions follow the extensive list of computer magazines and literature, since this is where you will select the magazines from which you make your purchases.

High-Performance Parts Several components enhance your computer's performance. The most significant is fast RAM. DDR RAM and RDRAM for the Pentium 4 systems are significant performance enhancers. In addition to

this, a fast

make itself evident Athalon XP system. will

in a

video card

Pentium 4 or

Static

Handling

When

you get your computer parts home, do not handle them carelessly. The time to open the bags is while installing the components, and not before.

When

time arrives, handle all PC cards by the edges only and, before you touch any of the components, touch the bare metal part of your case to discharge any electrostatic voltage. Electrostatic damage is not immediately terminal. Tiny junctions within an electronic component can be damaged enough that, over time, the part degrades sufficiently to finally fail. The spark you receive from a metallic surface after walking on carpet is enough to destroy or damage many electrical parts in your computer. The damage may be slight, but a failure can occur up to six months from the this

damaging spark. I have an ESD-safe work area because I build so many computers. You will not damage anything in your computer if you follow the simple guidelines above. The documentation for your components may have initial

additional advice, so follow instructions

you

receive.

all static

control

5 Software Selection Software

the principal reason people buycomputers. Without software, a computer is merely a box with hardware inside. Nothing ever accomplished with a computer happened without software programs running things. At today's prices, the software you purchase can cost more than your computer but, unless you have software in your computer, the only thing you have to show for your expenditure is a high-speed moron. Just a quick interjection: software consists of lists of instructions written in computer language that tell the hardware in your computer what you want it to do. The firmware instruction sets written into your system BIOS as permanent memory configure the hardware to operate properly, but you must install programs to exercise any control over your hardware. Thousands of software companies are hungry for your money and support. There are so many programs out there you could never install all of them in a single computer; you must choose the programs that support what you want to do. This chapter will help you do that and, in the process, save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Computer software is categorized according to basic functions. There are word processing programs (like the one that built this book), database programs, Windows

programs and utilities,

look at

is

utilities,

games, and the

many common

list

non-Windows programs and goes on.

We

will take a detailed

categories later in this chapter.

Prices for software will vary significantly depending

73

74

primarily on

where you purchase

also discounts for upgrades

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

if

There are you already have it.

can buy) a previous version of the software installed on your computer. You will find that good software packages often cost more than your computer, but never buy software until (or

you

get several price quotes.

74

could give to friends who might be less upgrade-conscious. I kept the old stuff, just in case... Where do I buy software? I live in a very competitive area for computer unregistered, that

my

products, so

I

possibilities are endless.

various computer stores, depending on offers the best

sources

WANT TO SAVE LOTS OF MONEY?

•

I

use

who

upgrade discount. Other good

use are the

Here's a brief

I

many

catalogs available.

list:

GIVE THIS TRICK A TRY read about and then tried a neat trick to reduce my software expenditures. Several local vendors in my area make a good business of buying outdated software from retail

Computer Discount Warehouse www.cdw.com Computer World www.computerworld.com Dell www.dell.com

vendors. They pay pennies on the dollar. Then, they offer the software at substantially reduced prices to people who are not interested in the latest and greatest.

Egghead Software

Here's the trick. You can qualify to receive substantial discounts on great software packages if you have older versions of either

Micro Warehouse

I

the

same software or

a competitor's version.

Desktop Publishing www.publisliingperfection.com Global Software

Image Club

www.insight.com Connections

PC Zone Shareware Express Tiger Software

Step by Step Find a vendor of obsolete software.

If

, a legitimate and very helpful company that can send you a catalog of older software.

Then identify the software packages you want. Look for software that offers either a competitive upgrade or special price for upgrades. For example,

I

bought an old version

of Microsoft Visual Basic for $30. Instead of

ran over to Egghead Software with the unopened box and purchased the new installing

it,

I

Visual Basic 5.0 professional version for $94. The regular price for this software is $498. I

am

writing this book with Microsoft

Office Suite for

Windows

2000.

How

did

I

get

bought Word 2 for Windows at $29.95 and went to a local computer warehouse. I paid $199 for a $540 software package. By the time I was finished I had saved more than $1,500 by either purchasing outdated competitor's software or buying older versions, then upgrading. I also had a cache of older software, unopened and it? I

www2.warehouse.com www.pcconnection.com www.pczone.com www.filelibrary.com

www.tigersoft.com

you

Surplus Software

can't find one, contact

www.glbsoft.com

www.imageclub.com

Insight

MAC and PC

www.egghead.com

mentioned several types of software that Now, let's take a closer look. Every computer uses an operating system of some type. Many systems have more than I

are available.

one.

DOS, Windows 9X, Windows 2K, XP, NT,

and OS-2, are the systems commonly used on the IBM-compatible family of computers. Utilities are programs used as tools to correct problems or tune your computer from a software standpoint. SpinRite, Norton Utilities, Checkit Pro Analyst, and PC Tools are examples.

Word

processors, spreadsheets, database programs, and drawing programs are

necessary to most computer users. I will go into detail on some of these later in this chapter. Suites are combinations of the abovementioned programs built into one large program. More on these later, too. Figure 5-1 shows a sample of the programs used by a typical desktop publisher. A desktop publisher often must utilize several programs to achieve a given task, and

75

SOFTWARE SELECTION

•

75

•

i

Accessories Startup

|

Internet Explorer

i

Outlook Express j

3Deep

lg

Nor ton

@5]

MadOnion.com

lg Lg

USB Card Reader

(g

SBNews

Adobe Acrobat 4,0

AOL

j

Utilities

I

Instant Messenger (5M)

J 1

Nor ton AntiVirus

Lg Dg

Creative

CyberLink PowerDVD

Caere Applications

HP PrecisionScan LT Software

HearMe

g

PhotoRecall Deluxe

InnoMedia

Lg

Roxio Easy

Lg

Real

Logitech

I1 |

MouseWare

CD

I

Creator 5

1

1

J> Windows Media

QuickTime

SHINY Shiny Entertainment Star Trek

New

Lg

EverQuest

_Tj

CorelDRAW 8

Player

Worlds

True Internet Color Ulead VideoStudio 4.0 SE AudioSoft Br other

HL-1450

Netscape Communicator Professional

Edition

Applications

Microsoft Office Tools

Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft

M

Word

Microsoft Office Small Business Tools

!$ Start

^2

Figure 5-1.

A

S &® M

good Windows 2000 environment.

will purchase

many more programs

than the

average user. Of course, he will have Windows 95 or NT. Figure 5-2 shows a Windows 2K

opening screen.

We

have looked at several aspects of software, including where to buy and tricks to get better prices. at the

5:1

Microsoft Publisher

Now

let's

take a detailed look

software types and programs within

common type. Remember that there are more programs than we could possibly talk about. The ones I each

available to you.

computer

The

in a store

best option

is

finding a

with the software you

might be interested in purchasing. Obviously, you will have to try several different stores, to get a good sample of software types, but it is worth your time. Many software titles fall short of your expectations, and software is very difficult to return to the store. Try it before you buy it!

OPERATING SYSTEMS

discuss are the most often utilized programs,

according to the sales personnel I know. The best approach to deciding on the software you will be purchasing is the trybefore-you-buy technique. Several options are

DOS I always start discussions of operating systems by talking about DOS, the disk operating system used by the industry for

76

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

Start

Figure 5-2.

many before

_jJMy Documents

Windows 2000 opening

years.

Many

has over 70 commands but, use only a few of them.

recommend

DOS

long

other operating systems

My DOS installing

operating system like

most people,

DOS

I

regardless of

the operating system you prefer. DOS is excellent for repairing problems in other systems, especially if you cannot properly initialize

Windows 9X

editing features of

DOS

Windows 2K. The allow you to edit the

or

•

76

©j chapters - Micros...

screen.

people learned

Windows and

were developed.

I

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI and fix many problems caused by improper installation of Windows. DOS is an excellent tool for emergency backups if you have a tape drive. (And you will have one, if you follow my recommendations!) In the event of a destructive crash that forces you to format or replace your hard drive, you need only install DOS and the tape backup software to recover. initialization files

DOS

plus your tape software will finish the

77

reinstallation of your software

•

SOFTWARE SELECTION

and restore

your old configuration. If you install Win 9X, be sure to keep DOS running under it. Win 9X allows you to restart in DOS mode, if you have to. Some older programs do not properly run in a Windows environment.

ME and Windows 2K allow you to enter a CMD mode. It is a DOS clone that allows to

perform the same

MB

of

will

run

3.1

very comfortable, so it will be around for a long time. It is a 16-bit operating system, however, so it is inherently slower than Win 95. It is only for people that will never buy another software program in their life.

Windows 98 and Windows

ME

This upgrade from Windows 95 is a hybrid system with both 16-bit code and 32-bit code. It is measurably faster than Windows 3.1 and even more stable, especially running older DOS programs. The memory management is superior to any other operating system, and multitasking is easier also. You will find it easier to use, and upgrades are much simpler under Windows 98 or ME. Both hardware and software installations move much more smoothly. Windows 98 has its own programs, and 32-bit upgrades for most Windows software are now available. I outfitted my Windows 2K system with upgrades for Microsoft Office, Visual Basic, Microsoft Works, and Microsoft Publisher. Of course, I

them

new

by using the competitive upgrade technique mentioned earlier in this chapter. for a fraction of the

OS/2

one

in the Smithsonian!)

this software.

Windows NT and Windows 2000 Look for a Windows NT variant to be operating system of the future.

It

will

the

run very

on the RISC machines mentioned in Chapters 2 and 3. Though it is designed for high-end users and workstation environments,

Though obsolete, this program will die hard; many people refuse to make the jump to Windows 95. Windows 3.1 is a fairly stable environment with which many people are

got

RAM RAM (there's

fast

actions.)

Windows

77

2K, but runs on less of a computer, and with a requirement. A 286-16 with 4 smaller

(Windows

you

•

list

it

will

soon be in the

Professional.

home

as

Windows 2000

Advancements by Microsoft

will

focus on Windows NT, Windows 2000, and Windows XP, all 32-bit variants of the same basic

program

type.

Why? It works on both CISC and RISC machines equally well. It is a true 32-bit operating system, with

the functionality of

all

Windows 98 and much more. New software written with a Windows NT variant in mind will be streamlined and fast, and the NT front end is very easy and comfortable to use. It is also the most stable operating system in use today. Windows XP, the current state of the

Windows

architecture,

document design functionality, and

is

strongly focused on

and voice recognition geared toward networking and Internet functionality. It has software to improve Web-based sourcing, and will be the software of choice in all new Intel-based machines. (It also unleashes tremendous power in all Athalon-based machines with the

XP

tools

is

processor.)

Now

look at some useful program types other than operating systems. let's

UTILITIES

price

WARP

This true 32-bit operating system includes multitasking, full DOS program support, full support for programs written for Windows, and large memory addressing. It is a good alternative to Windows 2K, but takes getting used to. It has a bit less functionality than Win

Utility programs are your personal incomputer toolbox. They do everything from clean out and organize your file system to repair

damage

SpinRite

to ,

your hard

from

,

disk.

Gibson

Research

the first disk repair utility I used. The original version for and RLL hard drives could repair bad portions of your hard drive. and RLL are two obsolete hard-drive technologies. Due to is

MFM

MFM

78

•

YOUR COMPUTER

BUILD, UPGRADE, AND REPAIR

changes in hard-drive architecture (such as sector translation), SpinRite is limited to recovering data and moving it to a safe part of your hard drive. Sector translation is one way of fooling DOS and older computer BIOS into

necessary

to

78

•

own more

than one of these

specialized tools. Personally,

I

prefer the

Norton package. It has the most functionality in one program for my personal requirements.

VIRUS DETECTION AND PROTECTION

recognizing very large hard drives.

Symantec's Norton Utilities and SystemWorks 2001 encompass a large set of unique capabilities. Norton can repair damaged or lost files, recover recently erased files and directories, back up your computer, and run in the background. By running as a background process, Norton allows you to continue using your computer while it does its work. The Windows 9X, 2K, ME, and NT version includes a protected recycle bin, which means even when you empty the trash you still can recover most deleted files. Both include a feature called image, which creates a mirror image of your file archive table and stores it safely. If you lose your original FAT, you have a backup. Remember that the FAT is an index

good time

This

is

a

viruses.

A

virus

jerks that

know

is

a

to

mention computer

program— designed by

quite a bit about computers

and software— to corrupt some aspect of your computer's performance. The virus is placed on a public access domain such as the Internet or an online service such as Prodigy. When you access the infected file, the virus can be transferred into your computer.

Some viruses have completely shut down military defense systems, automatic payroll systems, and computerized phone systems all over the country. A virus in a company computer can wreak all kinds of havoc. In your home computer, a virus can format your hard drive, erase some or all of your data,

your computer. Norton Utilities has the ability to automatically correct problems as they happen. You are prompted for this option

modify the way some programs run, print obscene messages on your screen, or just make your speaker go off at unusual times.

when you

programs

to all the files in

install

it.

This

is

a valuable option,

keeps your computer in top tune. Another utilities program is PC Tools, also by Symantec, which has embedded anti-virus tools, backup support, a shell program, and as

it

data recovery capabilities.

Checkit Pro, from Touchstone Software , is an analysis program designed to keep you updated on your computer's configuration. It can test performance and benchmark your system as well. Virtual Drive, from Farstone Tech, emulates a CD drive, allowing you to create up to

23 virtual

CD-ROM

Partition

drives.

Commander

Communications,

will

6.0, from

allow

repartition your hard drive, prep a

V

you to new drive,

and makes drive maintenance significantly easier than before.

You will notice

a lot of functionality

overlap in the utility programs.

It is

not

Viruses can be tricky, and

it

takes special

them. Symantec offers a great anti-virus program in Norton AntiVirus 2001. Another to check out is F-Prot from to get rid of

Command

Systems

Software

,

a shareware

program that can find as-yet-unknown viruses by looking for their characteristics.

McAffee

is

a

pioneer in anti-virus programs, and constantly updates their programs as new viruses arrive. Finally, try Invircible from NetZ Computing . This program scans for polymorphic (moving) viruses by cleaning

main and video memory, then searching quickly through all files by checking them against their signature.

If

a virus

on any of your programs, find

this

is

hitchhiking

program

will

it.

Other programs have anti-virus routines embedded in their program set. The boot block virus checker in most motherboard

BIOS

is

an example.

79

•

SOFTWARE SELECTION

•

79

become

Note: To be effective, an anti-virus program must be updated regularly. Be certain you have a program newer than 1 month old.

synonymous, the Corel PerfectOffice suite was born. This suite encloses WordPerfect

HOME OFFICE PROGRAMS

2002, Quattro Pro, Presentations, InfoCentral, GroupWise, and Envoy in a single system.

Since Corel and WordPerfect have

Envoy Suites

you're going to buy a publishing program, a database or spreadsheet program, and a graphics package I recommend If

purchasing a

suite.

A

suite "packages" several

is

is

a publishing program,

GroupWise

an e-mail, scheduling, and task manager.

Presentations, like the Office program's PowerPoint, is a presentation designer. Quattro Pro, like Lotus 1-2-3, is an excellent spreadsheet, and WordPerfect is an excellent

useful functions, or programs, in one package

word

and delivers

the acquisition of Ventura Publisher, Corel created a suite of its own.

a better bundle price than the individual elements. A suite includes a common interface between the packages, making it simple to move tables, graphs, and pictures from one document to another. The Lotus SmartSuite includes the latest Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheet, the Word Pro Approach publisher, Freelance Graphics, and Organizer programs. It also includes a SmartMaster template and Lotus Assistants to merge the separate programs into a seamless system. Separately, the programs would be very expensive, but you can find this package for under $400. Or, if you can find an older version, you can walk away with the upgrade for less than $170. This is less than any one of the included programs would cost. The Microsoft OfficeXP Professional

available in Windows XP and versions. It combines Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Scheduler, and Access into one seamless system. The Windows 2K version is 32 bit, and at least twice as fast as the Windows 9X program. To purchase Word, Excel, and Access

Upgrade 2000/NT

is

you would have to pay $900. The five-program package retails for $329, but the upgrade price is only $250. (Less if on sale.) Obviously, if you need any two of the separately,

programs, it's cheaper to buy the suite. Purchasing the suite also buys you the seamless interactivity of the Office program, with its many wizard programs. These page wizards will auto-format any type of presentation document you wish. There is even the capability of placing moving pictures and sound in your presentation.

processor.

Since

CorelDRAW

incorporates

CorelDRAW,

Ventura Publisher, photos, fonts, and clip art. Though not as comprehensive as the other suites, it's a

good

start.

Microsoft Works, one of the many "freebie" programs normally bundled in the "software package valued at $1,000" included with a fast-food computer system. At less than $80 retail, it represents a

Another basic

good

start for a

suite

is

budget-minded

user.

We

should now go into depth on several of the programs that build a suite. Some people may not wish to buy all the programs in a suite, but rather own just one. Most programs in a suite are available individually.

Example: Microsoft Office includes Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

only need Microsoft Word, just buy

hundreds of

it

If

you

and save

dollars.

The following programs

are suite elements

broken out separately: Spreadsheets

Business applications often require a method to display and manipulate large amounts of related numeric data. Programs designed for this purpose are called spreadsheets. They have the ability to handle accounting tasks, expenses, provide forecasting, display and change inventory numbers, and create presentations of the results. Most spreadsheets will automatically perform math operations on large databases, as you require. Most will display data in graphic format if you request it. If you are like

80

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

me, and your work sometimes follows you home, a spreadsheet program is critical. Examples of feature-filled spreadsheets are Microsoft Excel, Novel Quattro Pro, and Lotus 1-2-3. Lotus is the original spreadsheet of choice for the PC, functioning as a spreadsheet, graphics package, and database. Microsoft Excel doubles as a database and provides easy to use menus for the inexperienced user. Borland's Quattro Pro looks and works like Lotus 1-2-3, so much so that Lotus attempted

(and failed) to sue Borland. The Borland package has several features that make it unique. Like Excel, Quattro Pro has pull-down

menus, but unlike Lotus, Quattro Pro can print sideways.

It

can, however, manipulate

Lotus spreadsheets.

Database Programs Like spreadsheet programs, database programs are designed for the office environment. Most people will not need this

home unless

Work

Fairy loads their trunk with something special to take home at

the

with them. Like a spreadsheet program, a database can store and manipulate large amounts of data. Most have built-in search and sort functions. Database programs store information, allow you to perform calculations on it, sort it, and create reports from the data. Microsoft Access allows you to work with a replicated copy of database files. It will then synchronize the changes with the master document. You can grab flat file data from a wide variety of different formats and create a relational database from the data. Application performance can be monitored and improved with the onboard performance analyzer wizard. This menu-driven application allows you to optimize spreadsheet manipulation. If this means nothing to you, do NOT buy this program— you don't need it. I

tried the

DOS

version of

dBASE

years ago

and abandoned it. The Windows version is much more user-friendly and an extremely powerful program. The onboard tutorials and help menus enable you to quickly learn the program, a real plus in today's stress-filled

environment.

office

80

•

easy to click and drag much simpler to create.

It's

forms, and reports are

People that use Borland Paradox claim it has features that make it uniquely easy to use

and

learn.

The main menu

is full

featured,

and

each menu item opens up subtopics associated with the item, a great feature for the novice

and casual

user.

Word Processing Processing data and thoughts into readable

documents and manipulating

text are the

primary reasons computers are used today. That means word processing software is the most used software currently available. More than 30 word-processing software packages are available in a variety of languages.

Spelling and thesaurus subprograms are useful. Multiple formats are a necessity, including page layout, outline, and full-page

The ability to easily import graphics, and pictures is essential in today's

views. text,

desktop publishing environment. Let's look some programs.

at

Microsoft Word is the program that stole me away from WordPerfect 5.1. Why? First, I already used Word for Windows at work. The first thing I found out is you can use WordPerfect commands in Word. I thought, if

made things this easy for a WP nut like me, how hard could the program be to learn? I decided to try it at home where I had the they

luxury to learn at a leisurely pace. I never even opened the book. Each time I needed to determine what action an icon performed, I placed the mouse pointer on the icon and the computer told After

I

wrote

my

first

report,

me I

the function.

tried the auto-

format function and achieved automatic and great results.

erased WordPerfect from my hard drive the next day and upgraded to Microsoft Office. Briefly, Microsoft Word for Windows 9X I

and XP pro both have drag and drop adding charts, graphs, and pictures documents, and a

full

for to

find-and-replace routine,

spell check, thesaurus,

and the capability

to

print or fax within the program. I

hate to admit

it,

but

I

haven't been back

81

•

SOFTWARE SELECTION

81

•

you can

WordPerfect environment since version do most of the functions of Microsoft Word. The interface has always been an easy one to learn, and the ease of importing text and graphics is wonderful. Since the merge with Corel, I'm certain WordPerfect will become one of the top contenders for the desktop publishing and word

Properly kept records will merge with Turbotax at tax time, and create a complete tax return with minimal input from you. Your

processing marketplace. Tremendous improvements have already occurred. Power

primary contribution will be the signature the end of the tax form.

to the

certain you give

5.1. It has the ability to

acquire

users of the

Windows

insist that the

more comfortable

is

to

use than any other desktop publishing program. One of the first word processors was WordStar. I wrote my first novel on it. It still resides on my old XT, and is the only word

processor this machine will support today.

use it sometimes machines are tied up. still

Special note:

I

when my

I

other

recently read that WordStar

has one of the most

full

available, so don't expect

featured dictionaries

me

to get rid of this

very special program. Though WordStar has fallen behind the others in the bells and whistles category, I believe it is one of the easiest programs to learn and use for basic publishing. Now, let's stray from the office environment, and look at some good software for

home

use.

Home Accounting Home

accounting

is

an important part of

and programmers recognize this. Peachtree Accounting's Windows version is the multi-user solution. It is a popular home-accounting solution that is networkready upon installation. It handles invoicing, general ledger, budgeting, receivables, and daily

life,

numerous other $120, making it for

your home

operations.

It

costs less than

a realistically priced package

office.

Microsoft Money, a freebie with Windows 9X, is a more basic program catering to the casual home user. You can schedule, manage, and pay bills with this program. You can even print your own checks. It has a retirement planner built in. If you have to pay for the program, it is less than $15 for the Win 3.1 version and under $30 for Win 95. Be

it

a

especially

try,

if

free.

Quicken, from the co-op created by the

merger

of Intuit

and Chipsoft,

featured

home and

office accounting package.

is

a full-

at

Quicken offers full-featured interaction

version or WordPerfect

program

it

with your banking institution. With a modem, you can perform most banking tasks through the phone lines. Quicken has investment advice,

home

inventory,

and a

full

video tour,

one package. A quick note on the subject of banking over the Internet: You can be certain that someone is watching every aspect of any transaction you make. Keep your banking transactions private by using a modem along with the phone number supplied by your banking institution. Do not use the Internet. Also, keep in mind the lack of security on the Internet when you are tempted to give out your charge card number. Many people have all in

had

their

number

stolen needlessly.

Now, step into my office. These are the two programs I use the most.

Programming and Development

Tools

Microsoft Visual Basic 6 revolutionized the programming environment of Basic. The interactive tutorial is a modular, completely interactive course with flexible search routines, good notes, and sample code. This program is the fastest way I have seen to create clean, good code and state-of-the-art solutions to

programming

Microsoft Visual

issues.

C++

version 6

is

for

C

programming what Visual Basic is for Basic programming. Version 6 introduces the Component gallery, a one-step storage area for reusable objects. The Microsoft Foundation Class Library, or MFC, contains more than 120,000 lines of code in 150+ classes. This proven and tested code enables you to get online quickly. The application wizards you can create easily will double your throughput.

82

Print

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

Shop Programs

There are quite a few graphics programs that allow you to design and print color cards, posters, and envelopes. Here are some examples. The Print Shop Deluxe CD Ensemble from Broderbund Software comes on one CDROM or a large handful of 3.5-inch floppies. You can pick the project you wish, then choose graphics from a long list of candidates. This program supports greeting cards, labels, signs, calendars, custom-designed envelopes,

and more. With more than 4,500 graphic images to choose from, you may never use the same one twice. It runs in Windows and

Windows

95.

The special option that Announcements, from Parson's Technology, offers is the capability of making large-format posters. The program divides the poster into 8 1/2x1 1-inch modules and configures your color printer to print each module separately. You can attach the pages together to make a large banner if you wish. Thus, you can make great

announcements and

large banners with relative ease. It is available in CD-ROM format, or on 3.5-inch floppy disks for

Windows 9X and 2K

M

iterations.

program that allows you to introduce multimedia to your presentations. You can create speaking greeting cards and moving e-mail. It has an easy-to-use interface, so learning the program is simple. You can personalize sounds and morph between two Studio

is

a

different photos. Available in 3.5-inch floppies.

RANDOM ACTS OF PROGRAMMING There are so many programs out there! Here are just a few that caught my eye. Anything that can create a television image can be captured in your computer with Snappy for Windows. Images from camcorders, VCRs, and laser disks are available for your computer enjoyment. A morph program is included to further manipulate the images. Stills can be created from any of the sources listed above, and more. Easy-to-use movie file editing, more than 70 filter effects, and a multiple-document

interface

•

82

makes Corel Photo Paint an

excellent addition to your computer.

Though

and edit program, easy and convenient to use.

this is a full-featured paint

you

will find

it

Autodesk Animator Studio has

the

animated images for games, Web-site logos, and audio-visual presentations. The true-color environment enhances the full motion and sound creations you generate. This program requires a CD-ROM. See the human anatomy as you have never seen it before with rotating 3-D representations that allow you to zoom in and out. BodyWorks is probably the best reference module of its kind. You will need a CD-ROM running at 24X or faster to get full ability to create

benefit of the solid

model

rotation capability

of this program.

The Microsoft Encarta encyclopedia is extremely easy to use. It has pull-down menus, full-color video presentations, and stereo sound. Microsoft Encarta

on CD-ROM. More than six hours

is

available

exclusively

multimedia entertainment is available with Grolier Encyclopedia. Full narration on complex topics is included. This program is available on

CD-ROM

of

only.

You will spend hours just viewing the options available on the After Dark screen saver. This heavily endowed and well-

many

animated multimedia screen saver

is

a

can be found on 3.5-inch disks or CD-ROM. Several packages are available for this screen saver, including the "Outer Space" and "Sierra Club" collections. With Microsoft Scenes, you can customize your own screen saver using pictures you choose. I have included several dozen scanned photographs in my collection. Available on 3.5-inch disks. A must if you have Quicken, TurboTax is an easy way to handle even fairly complicated tax preparation. I have legitimately saved many thousands of dollars on my taxes using favorite. It

TurboTax, and can recommend no better program for doing personal taxes. Like BodyWorks, It's Legal comes to us from Parson's Technology. It's Legal is an excellent source for legal documents of all

83

SOFTWARE SELECTION

•

have saved many hours of a lawyer's time using this program. Parsons Technology has a great PDR also. This prescription drug reference is a necessary product to have, particularly if you have small children. While on the subject of Parsons software, I want to mention their tax software. Their Personal Tax Edge program is less costly than TurboTax, and will suit many individual types.

I

tax preparers just as well.

you have kids in school, consider Mathcad. You can make full graphic representations of math equations, enabling If

•

83

allows you to install the program. The package they offer is expansive, but not expensive, and

you may find many of the programs that you want are on the disk.

INTERNET-BASED DISTRIBUTORS Let's take a brief look at typical software

from an Internet-based

distributor.

Business and Office Microsoft Office XP Professional Upgrade: $249. Features: Document design tools,

voice recognition capability, network

an easy grasp of complex problems. Inserting math equations and graphs into existing documents is easy with Mathcad.

and Internet Web-based sourcing. WordPerfect Office 2002 Professional

Though the Internet is a library in itself, perhaps the best way to surf the 'Net is Netscape Navigator. Available for Win 9X, 2K and NT, this

processing, spreadsheets, presentations, e-mail

program

Get the

Electronic Acrobatics: $239.99. Features: Share, review, and edit documents across

There are so many programs available this chapter barely scratches the surface. There's software for just about anything you want to do with a computer. Read the reviews, literature, or box carefully before you make your purchases. Check for functionality overlap between software packages. It is expensive to buy two packages that provide

broad networks. Converts office files and documents to PDF (portable document format). Business Plan Pro: $79.99. Features: A

you

to get

is full

PowerPack

the

of single-click options.

for additional functionality.

same functions.

One more

thing about software:

and address book. Speech recognition and database management. client,

17-question query providing financial help to get your venture seeded. plan outlines.

like to

I

The Software Dispatch Company will send you a CD-ROM with programs on it. You can try them out with a software key for a limited time. A software key is a program that allows you to use the programs you might like to purchase. If you like them, you buy them and the company "unlocks" the programs so you can install them on your computer. This is one CD-ROM that the manufacturer encourages you to pass around to your friends. When you want to buy a program, they give you a password over the phone that

Custom business

Microsoft Money: $34.99. Features: A good and easy way to keep track of expenditures for

I

buy. In most cases, this is impossible, unless your friend has the program or a computer salesman gives you a demonstration of the program. try before

Upgrade: $249. Features: Advanced word

home

or office.

Pro: $499.99. Features: OCR (optical character recognition) scan software allows you to scan text and graphics into an

Omnipage

application for editing. This is the one program that will allow you to scan nearly any format and type of document, including photos with text, and allow editing from another unrelated program.

Word Processing Corel WordPerfect Family Pack: $69.99. Features: Desktop publishing and document formatting for home or school. Easy to learn and use. Microsoft Word 2002 Upgrade: $69.99. Features: Desktop publishing. Converters from most other publishing programs to RTF word documents. Easy picture editing and insertion.

84

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

For the Kids

LEGO

Island: $24.99. Features: Thinking

game using animated characters

to solve

•

84

Study Works Science Deluxe: $39.99. Features: Extra help for the beginning science student.

situational puzzles.

Spy Fox: $19.99. Features: Save the world Ozone threat. Let's Get Physics: $19.99. Features: Save

against

the world with physics.

This

is

just a

sample of the tremendous

amount of software available. I often use Amazon.com to evaluate my software needs. These programs, and many others, are from Amazon. Now is a good time to shut the door on software and move on to Chapter 6, where we available online

Communication QuickLink Mobile: $79.99.

Features:

Use your laptop and a wireless phone to work from anywhere. Procomm Plus: $132.99. Features: Supports 30 different terminal types. Data

will begin the experience of building a

integrity confirmation.

gathering dust, in this information.

Education Standardized Test Prep for Preppies: $39.99. Features: More than 2,700 sample tests and information on selecting college, applying for scholarships, and improving study skills. A must for anyone that wishes to

move

ahead.

computer. But

first,

new

take a look at one of

my

early newsletters that defines a problem with

you have one lying around you might have some interest

older computers.

If

With each innovation

in

computers today, up to the software

problems tend to crop up. It is designers and code writers to reduce or eliminate the hardware issues and incompatibilities that

problem and shows what the software people had to do to implement a durable fix. occur. This article describes the

85

SOFTWARE SELECTION

•

•

85

SHADOW'S RULES FAT32

AND WHAT

IT

MEANS TO YOU

Imagine buying a second computer with the intention of sharing resources between the two and finding out, through experimentation, that it is impossible. What has happened and why? This article attempts to answer your questions.

A

Little

History

was invented as a means to store and retrieve data to and from both floppy and hard disk assemblies. Very few improvements in the technology of the FAT structure have been implemented, at least up to now. The only major improvements in file allocation of note have been to modify the FAT to allow use of larger hard disk assemblies. From its invention for use on floppy disks through the adaptation that supports 2-GB hard disks, support for larger hard drives has been the principal concern. That is, until now. Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, broke the FAT16 barrier by introducing FAT32 in its newest release of Windows 95, a version available to the home user ONLY if purchased on a new computer. (This version is available only to OEM suppliers, and cannot be independently purchased.) This introduction has its good and bad points, and we will examine them now. The FAT,

or

file

allocation table,

The Good computers come with 2.5 GB and larger hard drives, which must be partitioned into two or more virtual drives to make use of any space beyond 2.0 GB. I have built computers with 9.1-GB hard drives and had to make a bunch of 2-GB partitions to use the drive. FAT32 increases the allowable hard disk size to 2,000 GB. Now the answer to, "Why does my 1.6-GB hard drive only hold 1.1 GB of data?" For the answer, I contacted Western Digital, a hard disk manufacturer. Cluster size is the answer. Each file stored on a hard disk must take up at least one cluster, or allocation unit. An allocation unit is the smallest amount of room a file can occupy on your hard disk. Cluster size increases with the size of your hard disk partition. The following table gives more information.

Many new

DISK

OR PARTITION

CLUSTER SIZE

SIZE

MB 128 - 255 MB 256 - 511 MB 512 - 1,023 MB 1,024 - 2,047 MB

KB KB 8 KB 16 KB 32 KB

0 - 127

2

4

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? it is not partitioned, each file, no matter how small, will occupy at least 32 only 100 bytes will waste 30,000 bytes of your valuable hard-disk space! FAT32, as you must have guessed, gets rid of this problem, too. The user can configure FAT32 to set cluster size at 4 KB, allowing the user to increase usable disk space by 15 - 30 percent. Other improvements include the ability to eliminate the current limitation on the number of directories you can create in the root directory. Since FAT32 treats the root directory as just another cluster chain, it can be any size and located anywhere on the hard disk. You can eliminate the annoying need to run FDISK and destroy all your hard disk's data when resizing partitions, too. Sounds too good to be true? Let's look further.

This means

KB

if

you have a 2-GB hard disk and

of hard-disk space.

A small batch file

that

is

The Bad Everything in life has advantages and disadvantages. FAT32 is no exception. Microsoft does not intend to test FAT32 on older hardware, so no guarantees of compatibility will be implied or stated. At this time, nobody has released utilities that will convert your existing hard disk to a FAT32-compatible hard

and Microsoft will not assume that responsibility. Even on new computers with pre-installed FAT32-compatible systems, problems can occur. As of now, no other operating systems, including Win 3.1 and Win NT, are guaranteed to work. Forget using your dual-boot machine with FAT32. Legacy hardware and software may be incompatible. If you have older external hard disks, backup systems with accelerator cards, zip drives, or other external peripherals that read and write to the hard disk, you may be out of luck. Existing drive space and Microsoft Plus applications are out. You cannot compress file systems formatted with FAT32. According to what I have read, it seems that disk maintenance features will be supported by updated versions of FDISK, FORMAT, DEFRAG and ScanDisk. I suggest using FAT32 only if your new computer comes with it. Never hook up any older peripherals to the new system. disk,

6 Getting

It

Together The

first

fine dining

time

room

I

assembled a computer

I

built

it

on

a

The next time I came home with found that my wife, in her infinite

table.

boxes of parts I wisdom, had purchased a small card table with a soft vinyl cover. This was her way of convincing me the dining room table was inappropriate for use as a secondary computer-testing site. I totally agree. For a few dollars, she gave me a spot of vinyl to call my own. Choose your assembly site carefully. Make certain there is enough room to safely put your computer together and that there is power available for operational tests. Ensure in advance the table can support the combined weight of the computer components and that it is

a stable workstation.

You have come a long way to get to this point in the project. You have a considerable pile of computer parts and accessories before you, but you are going to make sense of it all. Look at Figure 6-1 to see the pile of parts Lisa turned into a computer.

When you

you will be able to The real benefits come when you put your computer to use, the whole time realizing you created that wonderful machine. I still get goose bumps when I think of the money I have saved through the years by building and finish this chapter,

confidently and efficiently build your computer.

upgrading

my own

systems.

Read on. The process goes quickly from here.

87

88

•

BUILD, UPGRADE, AND REPAIR

YOUR COMPUTER

•

88

Figure 6-1: The components of a computer.

ASSEMBLING YOUR NEW COMPUTER The first step is inspection. Confirm you have everything you need. Inspect all components for damage and completeness of assembly documentation, and be certain you have all the interconnecting cables. Connect all

cables to the add-in cards to be certain you

The cards

are normally already set to default

The next step is component configuration. Your computer will be made of parts from a variety of manufacturers, as occurs in most computers today. Each component will have configurable options. Many components have hardware jumpers to select those options. A jumper connects two circuits together and is like a switch. You can select options, such as clock

IRQ on an

I/O card.

You check of someone

positions that provide the fewest conflicts.

are just performing a final

else's

work, but

it

is

better to find any

configuration problems early.

The documentation

are not short anything.

speed on a motherboard or

Read all documentation carefully and preset all jumpers to the default settings spelled out in the documentation supplied with each card.

motherboard is it will tell you the configuration for your CPU for the

the most critical guide because

how

to set

type. This

is

very important.

Many CPUs run

on different powersupply voltages and clock frequencies. If you have any doubt of the correct motherboard jumper settings, the vendor can help. The supplied documentation should help you find the correct settings. There is always a

89

Figure 6-2.

A motherboard

•

GETTING

IT

with configuration jumpers.

TOGETHER

•

89

90

diagram

to follow if the

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

written instructions

are too confusing.

Other cards may have configuration jumpers but I have found that few use them today. The PnP motherboards and add-on cards set themselves up when you turn on the computer. Hopefully you have one or more of these components.

The Athalon 1800+ motherboard in my computer has no jumpers because it "autodetects" the CPU, the cache, and the RAM. The first time I turned on my computer, the configuration was loaded into BIOS on the motherboard. This type of setup is the best and easiest because no manual configuration is

required.

Nearly all motherboards built after March 1996 have BIOS that supports both Intel and clone microprocessors and auto-detects PnP add-in components. It is unlikely you will have to configure a motherboard but if you do, the following information will help.

Remember

that even if you have configuration jumpers, the default positions are generally the best. Figure 6-2 shows a motherboard with configuration jumpers, each labeled JP followed by a number.

The jumpers on

this

motherboard

set

voltage to the CPU, clock frequency, IDE master or slave connector priority, and cache memory size. Some of these parameters change with each different type of CPU you can install.

Figure 6-3.

An IDE

I/O card with cables.

•

90

you have

to set jumpers on the motherboard you selected, look at Figure 6-2. Your jumpers, if any, will be different. The documentation with your motherboard will help you perform any necessary configuration changes required by CPU type, RAM type, and cache size. This is the most precise part of the entire computer-building experience, and the only If

task that requires anything

more than a

pair of

screwdrivers. You might need a pair of tweezers or small needle-nose pliers to move the jumpers. At this point the cards have either been configured by you or the factory. Jumpers have set default conditions and each

component

is

ready

to install.

I

normally

perform one additional task. I find it easier to connect any ribbon cables to the add-on cards now. That way you do not have to fight the cable, case, and cards to install them while the card is inside the case, and you can see the connector pins better and ensure the connectors mate properly with the cables. A quick word about alignment of connectors to cables: Normally, the connectors

on the add-in cards and motherboards have a pin 1 designation. It is either an inverted triangle near the pin designated as pin

number

1.

1,

or a

same type on the cable connector. An

This pin aligns with the

of designator

added check

is

to look at the cable itself.

91

GETTING

•

Nearly all cables have a red wire on one end. This is pin 1 of the cable assembly. Power cables are the exception. They are keyed and can plug in only one way. Cards with cables attached include a sound card, an IDE I/O card (if required), any tape controller card, and any CD-ROM add-on card, such as a SCSI interface card. Figure 6-3 shows an IDE I/O card with the cables attached. Note: this card has jumpers for and IRQ settings, which we discussed in detail earlier. Neither has to be moved from default, however, upon installation into the case. Use this card only if you need additional drives. The excellent documentation for the card depicts exactly how to connect each ribbon

IT

TOGETHER

•

91

Example: You buy memory in DIMM that are 128 MB in size. You have two banks of sockets on the motherboard. You fill the computer with two 128-MB DIMM, resulting in 256 MB of RAM. Now you must replace the DIMM with a larger capacity DIMM in order to upgrade RAM. If you had purchased one

256-MB DIMM,

a

RAM

upgrade would

more DIMM.

require only adding

DMA

cable correctly.

Be certain to follow

connector polarities when installing the cables to the card. An inverted triangle mark on the connector or a red-colored wire on the cable normally identifies pin 1. The card should have a triangle-shaped mark showing pin 1 or a pin 1 designation. Consult the documentation for all

,

polarities

if

there

is

any uncertainty.

MOTHERBOARD MEMORY AND CPU INSTALLATION

CPU INSTALLATION

TIPS

Handle the processor as you would an add-

You will find a zero insertion force (ZIF) on your motherboard that allows you to easily remove and replace the CPU for upgrades. With the motherboard's documentation handy, install the processor and confirm any jumper on

card.

socket

changes necessary. To install the processor, lift up on the handle attached to the socket, drop the processor in, and return the handle to its original position. It's that easy.

All

CPUs have

a heat sink

and usually a

fan mounted on top of them for additional cooling. Installation of these processors is identical to the one mentioned above. If the CPU has a fan attached, the power cable mates with any of the power cables for hard drives that are in the case, or installs directly

You may have purchased a motherboard with memory, cache, and processors so, skip this step. If not, install

Memory will is

only

install

keyed. To install a

module lock the

one

SIMM

the

way

or

installed. If

memory as the

DIMM,

first.

module

place the

in a slanted position in the socket.

SIMM and you

in position, raise

it

To

to a vertical

snap into place. be installed in certain banks on certain motherboards. If so,

position

will feel

it

Memory may have

to

the documentation will assign certain pairs of

bank 0, 1,2, and 3, if so equipped. You must fill bank 0, then 1, and so on, until you run out of memory or all banks are filled. I recommend buying memory in a size that will fill only one bank so that memory sockets as

upgrades mean just filling another bank. If you fill all your banks with lower capacity memory, you will have to replace the smaller capacity

memory

in order to upgrade.

connector on the motherboard. The manual gives details. The only additional work you may have to perform on the motherboard is installing the cache memory heat sink or fan. Most motherboards for Pentium 4 and Athalon processors will already have this installed. to a

instruction

Installation

Let's

is

simple.

recap.

The add-on cards

are

They have the cables installed as required. The motherboard has memory, cache, and the CPU installed. The configured.

motherboard

is

configured for installation. So,

what's keeping you?

MOTHERBOARD INSTALLATION Open the case and remove the hardware inside. Most cases have one side that folds down where you install the motherboard. This

92

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

92

Figure 6-4. Installing the motherboard in the case.

usually the right-hand side, with the front of the case facing you. The other side is open. is

There will be several screws holding the folddown side in position. Remove them now, and

remove or lay down the side. Discharge static by touching the case anywhere on the bare metal surface. Remove the motherboard from its ESD protective container and lay it on the open side. Rotate the motherboard until the round keyboard connector faces the rear of the case. The two power connectors on the motherboard should also be to the rear of the case.

Align the motherboard with the mounting holes on the case side, and install the standoffs

wherever possible. There should be enough metal standoffs in the hardware package.

Install

them

in all locations

where a hole

motherboard coincides with a location in may already be one there. This is the primary ground for the motherboard. Refer to figures 6-4, 6-6, and 6-9 for further visual assistance. Note: Figure 6-6 shows a in the

the case. There

plastic slide alternative to metal screws.

With the plastic standoffs, if supplied, attached to the bottom of the motherboard where they align with the slides on the case motherboard into place. When the holes in the motherboard align with the ground standoffs, secure the motherboard with screws from the hardware kit. Refer to Figure 6-9 for screw types. The proper screws to use are the finely machined ones, not the rough sheet-metal screws. Figure 6-6 shows side, slide the

93

GETTING

•

the plastic slides that sometimes are used to secure motherboards in lieu of metal screws.

The next steps apply to all types of cases. Connect the cables from the turbo and reset switches and lights for turbo, power, and hard-disk operation. Connect the power cables from the case to the motherboard. In the nonATX case, the two power cables have six wires each, of which two are black. When the power cables are properly installed, the four black wires should be alongside each other at the center of the two power connectors. In all other cases there is one connector supplied and it is keyed to eliminate errors in installation. (See Figure 6-5B.)

Figure 6-5A shows the angle of the power cables relative to the connector. They have to be hooked over the connector, stood up vertically, and pressed down. This type of

IT

TOGETHER

•

93

Cases may or may not come with a digital readout indicator for system speed. You will find it quite an experience programming the readout to properly indicate the processor speed of your system. From a bank of options you must select the digits corresponding to your system's speed. This programs the threedigit readout. Jumpers are removed or connected to select the row and column associated with each number in the readout. The documentation is accurate for every case I have used, but the process is time-consuming

and occasionally

frustrating.

This type of case

is

rapidly disappearing

from the scene due to its difficulty in programming. I recommend purchasing a case that does not have this feature because of the

connector reduces the possibility of the cables

annoyance associated with this task. Then, if you upgrade later and use the same case, you do not have to reacquaint yourself with this

accidentally becoming disconnected.

task.

If

not already installed, install the

power

switch in the case. Pay particular attention to

how

it

you or

is

installed, as

an error might injure

others.

Important: If there

is

any doubt

as to the correctness of this step

vendor and ask for help. Refer to Figure 6-4 to see

,

in

your mind

return the case

how you

install a

motherboard in a case with no fold-down side. On the cases without a fold-down side, installation is similar, but somewhat more cumbersome than the fold-down style. Install the plastic standoffs and slide the motherboard into position, aligning the ground screw with the metal standoff. Screw the motherboard to the metal standoff. Exercise care not to

the motherboard while installing side.

You have

it

damage

in a case

to carefully

motherboard in without hitting the hard drive and floppy disk installation bays. With this type of case— and many of the slide the

purchased computers have this type— it is more difficult to upgrade a motherboard. Often you are better off removing the hard disk or disks first, then removing and reinstalling the motherboard. If you have a choice, always purchase a case that has a removable or fold-down

side.

of processor speeds currently this type of case obsolete.

Reinstall the fold-down case side and check the rear panel cutouts for alignment with the add-on card slots. You can loosen the ground screw and realign the motherboard for closer

fit if

required.

by plugging in a card. Ensure that the mounting screw that holds the add-on card aligns properly and tighten down the motherboard. Double-check the tightness of all screws. This test ensures the motherboard will not accidentally short out if you plug in a card with the power on. Press lightly on each corner of the motherboard after it is installed. Ensure no portion of the motherboard contacts the case beneath it. If it does, you should install Test the alignment

to the

without a fold-down

The range available makes

another standoff in the area. If there isn't a slide slot beneath the hole for a standoff on the motherboard, cut off the portion of the standoff that hooks under the slide slot and install the standoff in the board anyway. It will not hold the motherboard in position, but it will prevent the motherboard from

contacting the case accidentally. Refer to

Figure 6-6. When you install the motherboard, it will be elevated by this standoff and unable to short to the case in the

94

Figure 6-5A. Connecting

•

power

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

cables to the motherboard,

event you must plug in an add-on card with power applied. You are performing this operation because some add-on cards allow you to plug them in with power applied, though this is not the normal practice. Once the motherboard is installed in the case, the hardest part of this project is completed. Now let's install add-on cards. Installing the add-on cards is quite easy. Be the

non-ATX

•

94

case.

certain you have observed polarity on all cables you connected to the add-on cards. If there is any doubt, consult the documentation or your supplier.

VIDEO CARD INSTALLATION If it

you are using an

in the

AGP

AGP

slot. If it's

video card, place not an AGP card,

95

•

GETTING

IT

TOGETHER

Figure 6-5B. Connecting power cables to the motherboard,

PCI slot closest to the power supply. Figure 6-7 shows the installation. Use care handling the video card. The RAM is sensitive to electrostatic shock. To prevent a damaging static discharge, ground place

it

in the

ATX

•

95

case.

your system has onboard IDE I/O, skip the next step (unless you are installing multiple hard disks and IDE CD-ROMS). If

EIDE

I/O

CARD INSTALLATION

yourself to the metal inside of the case once

before unpacking the video card. Do this by touching any bright metal surface inside the case, preferably the

power supply enclosure.

Refer to Figure 6-8 to see an Ethernet I/O card. This shows an EIDE I/O card being installed. The cables are already in place,

96

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

Figure 6-6: Plastic standoffs can be purchased

Figure 6-7.

An AGP

•

96

video card installed.

separately.

which cables.

on

is

the only

way

The only cable

this card

is

to easily connect all the still

remaining

the hard drive

The documentation

LED

to install

indicator.

for the case will identify

two-conductor cable for you. To complete the EIDE I/O installation, install the rear panel add-in slot with the other two communication ports. Unless your motherboard fails you will probably never use these. This is permanently connected to one of the cables you attached to the EIDE I/O card earlier. Refer to Figure 6-10 for a quick look now. If you ever experience problems with a serial communications port on your system and you have one unused port, you can easily reconfigure your system to use the second I/O port supplied with this add-in card. The hardware jumpers covered in your documentation will show you how to easily swap the two ports so you do not have to reconfigure your software. It is much easier to reconfigure your hardware settings than to peruse and change each software setting affected. Some newer add-in IDE I/O cards, designed to replace defective onboard IDE I/O functions, have onboard BIOS that allows you to configure them automatically. The add-in card will query you during the first boot up after installation. You will answer questions about your hardware, and the add-in card will this

configure

itself

accordingly.

This add-in interface requires one unused

slot in

your computer. You should pick

a

position near the center of the case so the cables will be easy to route away from normal case airflow. Keep airflow through the case in mind when routing all cables, ensuring that fans are not blocked.

Some motherboards have a slot position dedicated for this I/O slide. It is the one with the CMOS battery situated directly in the path of a potential add-in card, making the slot useless for any other purpose. A basic computer requires only the add-on cards installed up to this point. Most people install a sound card, modem, and/or CD-ROM SCSI interface card as well. At this point, you have completed the installation of all add-in cards, the motherboard, RAM, and CPU. You have connected all cables to the installed PC boards, including the motherboard. You still have several cables hanging from the computer, and a small pile of hardware remaining to

install.

If you haven't done so already, connect the IDE and I/O cables to the motherboard with an onboard IDE I/O interface. Your motherboard documentation will show you where they go. Install the I/O interface as Figure 6-10 depicts, and check the attached cables one more time while some parts not yet

installed are not in the way.

97

•

GETTING

IT

TOGETHER

97

•

Figure 6-8. IDE I/O card installation.

Figure 6-9.

Two mounting

Figure 6-11.

Hard disk

installed.

Figure 6-12.

Hard disk

cable.

screws.

Figure 6-10. The I/O interface rear panel slide.

Let's install the remaining

We

hardware now.

will start with the hard drive. Refer to

Figures 6-11 and 6-12 for installation and cable connections.

Configure the hard disk per instructions provided with it. Ensure the jumpers (shown in Figure 3-4 in Chapter 3) are properly set. The default is "single hard drive." If you have

multiple hard drives to

install,

you must

set

one up as master and one as slave using these jumpers. Make your boot drive the master. If you install a CD-ROM on this cable also, it's a slave drive.

hard disk in the lowest 3.5-inch into the bay until two holes align the case and the hard drive. Install the short Install the

bay. Slide in

it

98

•

BUILD, UPGRADE, AND REPAIR

YOUR COMPUTER

•

98

screws that came with the hard drive. Any other screws may be too long and could damage the hard disk's printed circuit board. Install two screws on the other side of the case in a similar manner. Each hard drive should have four screws holding it in. Install the hard disk control cable from the IDE add-on card or motherboard as shown on Figure 6-12. Ensure that the polarity is correct. For multiple disk installations, a two-connector cable is available with two identical connectors

on the hard disk side so both drives can connect to the same cable. Be certain the master drive is the furthest from the end of the cable that connects to the IDE controller. Installing the floppy drive

showing

similar.

is

I

Figure 6-13. The floppy drive.

am

installation of a 3.5-inch floppy drive

in a 5.25-inch

sold separately.

bay with a 5.25-inch adapter, I

used

all

of

my

3.5-inch bays

because I installed multiple hard drives. For this reason I added an additional I/O card to support a total of six for hard disks

IDE

drives.

They show and the The cable end

Refer to Figures 6-13 and 6-14.

installation of a 3.5-inch floppy drive

cable that controls the drive.

furthest from the floppy control card or motherboard must be connected to the floppy disk is

(in

a single floppy installation).

coded

to assign drive letter

A

The

cable

to the floppy

Figure 6-14. The floppy cable.

drive installed on that end of the cable.

you install a second floppy drive, use the remaining connector on the same cable. The If

second floppy drive will be assigned drive letter B. With the floppy and hard drives installed and configured, the remaining task is to install the CD-ROM drive. Review Figures 6-15 and 6-16 for details on CD-ROM installation. A typical IDE CD-ROM drive connects to the IDE interface through a cable identical to a hard-drive control cable. The cable connects to the secondary IDE interface in an EIDE system. If you do not have the EIDE interface, you must give up the slave hard disk drive position to install an

IDE CD-ROM. The CD-

ROM documentation gives an example. Many

users choose to install a

CD-RW

and

a CD-ROM drive. If both are IDE, install them on the slave secondary IDE port and configure

one as a slave. Refer to Figure 6-16 for slave jumper location on a CD-ROM. A SCSI CD-ROM requires a SCSI controller card or a SCSI sound card as an interface card.

The

instructions for this type of installation are detailed and are included with the purchase. Review the documentation for the interface card

and the

The power cables

CD-ROM

drive.

to the drives

were not

but they are specified in the documentation for the hard drive, floppy drive, and CD-ROM drive. Confirm all the power connections have been made to these components. The power connectors come in two sizes, both plugging in only one way. With this task completed it is time to hook up the monitor,

discussed

earlier,

99

•

GETTING

IT

TOGETHER

•

99

provides the interconnect options from which

you must choose. The mouse connects

to the smallest of the

I/O connectors you installed on the rear panel. If you installed an IDE I/O card, it is normally the top connector on this card and has nine pins.

For future reference, this configuration on Coml

will default the mouse, as installed,

(the first serial I/O port). these.

The second one has

You have two

of

a 25-pin connector.

Both serial I/O ports can perform this function but, since a

Figure 6-15.

mouse normally comes with

the

smaller nine-pin connector, it is usually installed on Coml. The monitor connects to the video card through the rear panel. Connect and screw down the interface cable from the monitor. If the monitor has a special power cable to connect to the case, install it now. Connect the speakers to the sound card. The sound card has an interface cable that you connected between the sound card and the

An IDE CD-ROM.

CD-ROM.

This interface cable, a small cable with three to four wires, transfers digital sound information from the CD-ROM to the sound card for processing into analog signals that will drive the speakers. You can see the connection point for the sound card in Figure

which is a rear view of the CD-ROM. Connect your printer to the printer port, if you have a printer. When you finish with this portion of the installation, you should have a system similar in appearance to the one 6-16,

Figure 6-16.

CD-ROM

cables.

keyboard, and mouse. If you have speakers for your CD-ROM drive and sound card, install them now as well. The speakers connect either to the onboard sound card jacks on the rear of

pictured in Figure 6-17.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTALLATION

the case or to your purchased sound card.

Connect the keyboard

at the

round hole on

You can see the connector on the motherboard by looking into the lefthand side of the case. Advances in technology have left you with several keyboard and mouse installation options. The mouse can be USB or remote infrared using the IR port option. The keyboard can have any of three connectors, so match the mouse and keyboard connectors with your intended application. Use the motherboard as the determining factor, as it the rear of the case.

Most people that evaluated the original proof of this book suggested the following step-by-step approach. Though information specific to the particular components you your system may differ from these directions, the pictorial nature of this presentation is very comfortable for many first time computer assemblers. These components are desirable to most of the individuals I queried, so the pictures presented here are representative of the most common system select for

built today.

100

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

Figure 6-17. The completed system: Athalon 1800 +

,

Step 1 Prepare the motherboard as described

and shown in

next. Install the processor, heat sink,

RAM

cache fan as Figure 6-18 by pressing it down into the chip with your thumb and latching it. Install the by placing it into the keyed socket and forcing it against the spring locks into an upright position, as shown in Figure 6-19. The motherboard is now ready to fan. Install the

DIMM RAM

install into the case,

shown

on the fold-down side

in Figure 6-20.

Remove

the three

screws shown.

Install the

Step Two motherboard on the fold-down

Review Figure 6-20 for a backside view, which shows the plastic standoffs and the case case.

•

100

faster than anything sold.

slides.

Review the section on motherboard

installation earlier in this chapter.

Locate and install the IDE I/O cables to the motherboard, as shown in Figure 6-21. These cables are keyed, with pin 1 of both the cable and connector identified clearly. Ensure the cables are routed away from all fans and heat sources, such as the power supply and anything with a heat sink.

Connect the remaining case cables for the reset switch, speaker, HDD activity LED, and any other applicable cables now. Since the options vary between cases and motherboards, you must use the installation documentation supplied with both. Refer to Figure 6-22 for one installation example. If the documentation is not specific as to the proper polarity to observe with the power

power LED,

101

Figure 6-18. Cache

Figure 6-19.

RAM fan

installation.

DIMM RAM installation.

GETTING

IT

TOGETHER

Figure 6-21.

101

IDE I/O cable

installation

Figure 6-22. The remaining case cables are installed

and routed.

Figure 6-20.

The fold-down case

slide.

on motherboard.

Figure 6-23. Case slide installation.

102

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

102

LED and HDD LED,

do not worry. You can reverse them without damaging anything if they do not light when initially installed. After completion, the case side can be pushed back into normal position and secured with the screws previously removed. Refer to Figure 6-23 for specifics. Note: Before tightening

the mounting screws, ensure you are not pinching any wires as you reinstall the case side.

You have

just finished the

most

difficult

portion of the component installation phase. The remaining items simply plug into the

motherboard or the

case.

Step 3 Let's look at figures 6-24

through 6-28 to review the remaining hardware to be installed.

Figure 6-24.

A premium sound

Figure 6-25.

An AGP video

card being installed.

Step 4

The remainder

of the installation

Install the cards pictured

is

simple.

previously in the

motherboard slots corresponding to the bus type. The short connectors with the pins close together are the 64-bit PCI connectors. The

AGP

video connector

color

and usually nearest

Install the

is

typically different in to the

video card in the

power

AGP

supply.

slot first.

Next, install the remaining cards— the Ethernet card, the additional I/O card, if required, the modem card, and the sound card. If possible, allow some space between the cards.

With

now

time to install the remaining hardware, such as hard disks, floppy disks, and CD-ROM drives. Study all

the cards installed,

the pictures in Steps

1-3

it is

card being installed.

for the finer points.

Using the information in the beginning of chapter and this step-by-step method, you have just built your own computer. The sample systems pictured and described here are an Intel Celeron and an Athlon 1800+ computer with a full boat of accessories, including two printers and an this

external

modem. When

I

started this book, the

Athalon-based computer had a mere 1,400

GHz

processor, but times change.

the computer you choose

market has

to offer,

may be

and the

Remember: anything the

installation steps

are basically the same.

This concludes the installation portion.

Figure 6-26. External backup systems: tape, hard drive,

and removable

disk.

103

GETTING

•

IT

TOGETHER

turned

•

103

to the section

on

CMOS

configuration

and the phone book turned to the fire department's number. (Just kidding!) You have to tell your computer something about the components you installed. The CMOS setup stores the information and uses it each time you turn on the computer. When you turn your computer on, check for any unacceptable signs, such as smoke, arcing noises, or flashes of light. If you see or hear anything that suggests a problem, shut the computer off and recheck all connections, including power cables and the power switch data,

Figure 6-27.

An

Ethernet card has just been

installed in the lower

PCI

everything

normal, press the required keys on the keyboard to enter setup mode. Often the computer screen will tell you connections.

slot.

which keys

If

to press.

is

The motherboard manual

will certainly give the information.

““ 1

1 t

I]

•

!

•

|

a

f> 1

1

1

1

'

iiif S

|

tc .

!l

~ r*.

ii

'

Id

|l

r

Figure 6-28. (from right to left) RW, two 3.5-inch floppies.

DVD

recorder,

CD-

The next step is to power up and configure the computer as a complete system. You are about to turn on your new computer for the first time and enjoy the benefits of your substantial efforts.

Congratulations!

STARTING YOUR SYSTEM FOR THE FIRST TIME Plug in the main power cable for your to both the wall socket and your computer. Have the following documentation handy: the motherboard manual turned to the section on CMOS setup, the hard drive manual

system

Chapter

8

("When Things Go Wrong").

if

;

-

\

CMOS

setup screen should come up. If it doesn't, and you get an error message about some configuration issue, refer to

The

Problems are discussed in detail so they can be quickly resolved. If you have a blank screen or the computer locks up during initial power up, repeat the process once. If you get the same results, jump quickly to Chapter 8 and we will analyze and fix the problem together. Once you are in CMOS setup, follow the motherboard documentation. Enter the date, time, hard drive information from the hard disk manual, and floppy disk size and type. Do not change anything in CMOS setup unless the documentation tells you to. We will optimize

CMOS

configuration later in this chapter.

The

CMOS

directions are fairly simple.

Follow them carefully, particularly when setting the hard disk's parameters. If you only have one floppy disk drive, make certain that you designate it as floppy drive A. (Note: CMOS setup is volatile, which means temporary. If the CMOS battery on the motherboard dies, the setup is lost. Make sure you write the CMOS setup down and keep it inside your case. A floppy disk label is a good place to write it. Stick the label

somewhere

inside the case.

Hopefully you will never need the information again, but if you do, it will be handy.)

104

When

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

computer with a hard disk that has no information on it, there are two ways to get going. The first is the most common for users that do not wish to make a multiboot system. If you are not familiar with starting the

a multiboot system, please follow the first

example.

It

will prepare the

computer

to

run

on Windows 9X, NT, or 2K, the preferred way to set up a computer for home use. Turn on your computer. As it begins to start up, you will see a message that allows you to press a keyboard key to get into the BIOS setup program. It is usually the "delete" key. Press it after you are requested to do so.

When the BIOS menu appears, follow the on-screen instructions to allow the computer to recognize your hard drive and floppy drives. Set the hard drive parameters to AUTO for both the master and slave IDE ports, and select the proper floppy drive as well. Set the date and time.

Move your Exit

CD-ROM

and save the setup parameters, then turn

off the

computer.

Install

NT CD-ROM

bootable CD-ROM disk into the drive and turn on the computer. It will boot on the CD-ROM. Follow the directions to FDISK and FORMAT your hard drive, then install the operating system per the on-screen instructions. Install the remaining software as well. After installing your Windows software, remember to return to the BIOS setup and set your primary boot device as your hard disk.

You are off and running! The following method is the way

my

now, because you cannot install DOS yet since DOS does not recognize your hard drive.

When setup returns you to the A> prompt, type fdisk. This drops you into the fixed disk setup program. It is necessary to prepare any hard disk that has not been previously formatted in order to allow you to install software on the drive. The fdisk and format programs prepare the hard drive to accept data from you or your programs. The screen looks something like this: MS-DOS

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1983, 1993

FDISK Options: Choose one of the following:

Create

set

up

hard disk for the first time: With CMOS setup configured, reboot the system with a DOS boot disk. The Microsoft DOS boot disk has the necessary files to prepare your hard disk for use, but use DOS version 6.0 or later. The disk should have a label that says Disk 1 - setup. When you exit CMOS setup your computer will boot, or initialize, from the floppy disk. You will receive a message allowing you to continue installing DOS or exit. The exit key is the F3 function key on the keyboard. Press

DOS

partition or logical

DOS

drive.

2. Set active partition. 3. Delete partition or logical

DOS

drive.

4. Display partition information.

Change current fixed disk shows up only

Enter choice: Press

ESC

if

drive. (Note:

Number

you have multiple hard

5

drives.)

[1]

to return to

FDISK

options.

You must do two things to use your hard disk. Choose option 1 to create a DOS partition, then return to the menu and choose option 2 to

asked

DOS, I

Version 6.22

Fixed Disk Setup Program

5.

your Windows 9X, 2K, or

104

this

1.

advanced setup and select as the primary boot device.

into the

•

If

if

make

you want

the partition active. to

When

use the entire disk for

select "yes."

you wish

to partition

your hard disk into

several smaller logical drives,

now

is

the time

to do so. If you partition your hard drive after you format your hard disk and install software, you will destroy installed software. Refer to your hard disk manual to investigate the benefits of partitioning before you move on. After you finish, press the ESC key to return to the A > prompt. You are ready to format your hard disk and create the boot block. High level formatting organizes the disk

manner that allows data stored and accessed. A FAT is

area into sections in a to be easily

105

•

GETTING

created to index the stored data. Now, type format C: IS. This action high-level formats the hard drive C and transfers the system files to the hard drive.

The next time you boot up, you do so from the hard drive.

be able to Try this test. Remove the floppy boot disk and reboot your computer. To soft boot, hit the CTRL, ALT, and DEL keys simultaneously. Your hard disk should boot and you should have a message displayed asking for the date and time to be entered. This means your hard disk is successfully formatted and operational. Now, reboot with the floppy disk installed. will

IT

TOGETHER

•

105

you find any problems, check the

If

documentation on the programs involved. See if you might be doing something the program doesn't agree with. Look in the hardware documentation and be certain you are within the proper operational guidelines for the hardware involved. Glitches and conflicts are discussed and corrected in Chapter 8. Example 1: You are typing in a word processor and every time you hit the ENTER key, the text

is

reformatted.

Check the online help program or the software setup and look for auto-format Fix:

DOS according to the directions shown in DOS setup program. You are on your way!

options that are turned on. Example 2: You are trying out the sound

your software per the directions on the software package or documentation. It is

card software in Windows and something locks up the system, causing you have to

best to install software in the following order:

reboot to restore operation. Fix: Check to see if you installed the Windows sound card software before the DOS software. The DOS software may have modified

Install

the

Install

1.

2.

DOS. Microsoft Windows 9X, NT, Microsoft

3. All

DOS-only

your CONFIG.SYS and/or

or 2K.

applications, particularly

backup

programs. 4.

Combination

5.

Windows

DOS

and Windows applications.

AUTOEXEC.BAT

confusing the Windows setup. Reinstall the Windows software for the sound card. Let the DOS programs have control over files,

AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS routines by installing all DOS programs first. the

applications.

Windows

will

modify

its

WIN. INI and

Read your software documentation. Software documentation is typically very good where installation issues are concerned. If you have any problems with software, the product support staff will help. I have even received good help from the software vendors.

SYSTEM.INI files to run the DOS programs. Then, when Windows exits, it will restore the

THOROUGHLY TEST YOUR SYSTEM

you can, leave your computer on for at least 24 consecutive hours. This burn-in period allows hardware issues to surface. Ninety percent of all hardware failures occur within the first 24 hours of operation. It is unlikely that you will experience any problems, but if you perform this operation you can be confident that you have reduced the chance of an unexpected failure considerably.

The next few hours should be invested learning your system and checking for any from the speakers to you have installed. Document anything that seems unusual. Keep an error log of your first 48 operational hours on the computer. Note the programs involved, the hardware being used and the operations you are performing. Hopefully the log will be an empty sheet of paper but if not, you have a good starting glitches. Test everything,

the

modem, by running

the software

point to resolve the conflicts.

DOS

settings.

install

This

is

DOS programs

BURN

IN

the primary reason to

first.

YOUR COMPUTER

If

START A FOLDER

ON YOUR COMPUTER

documentation, receipts, and other paperwork associated with your system. If you Save

all

106

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

106

FT «

m* m% m»

mm*

.

*

w

• ••

• •• mmm* mm

mmm m a mmm* i

mm

mmm

mmm

mm*

mm mm mmm mm

m*

mm %

§m

Figure 6-29. The

ATX

case.

program and press the SHIFT and PRINT SCRN keys on the keyboard simultaneously. This will make a hard copy of your CMOS setup. Add this to your folder on your computer and keep it in a safe have a

printer, enter the setup

Figure 6-30. The case slide.

keep the documentation and receipts. Now, let's look at a significant performance upgrade. It's time to take a close look at the AMD Athalon XP 1800 + By any measurable standards, this is the best money can buy. to

.

place along with other important paperwork.

UPGRADING YOUR SYSTEM TO AN ATHALON XP 1800 +

The folder will help if you decide to upgrade because you will have all the information on your system in one place. Since you have documentation on everything you purchased, the folder is an excellent place

Many dream

of

people involved with computers having a new system with that

107

Figure 6-31. The old Pentium

II

•

GETTING

motherboard

still

IT

TOGETHER

mounted on

•

107

case slide.

108

leading-edge performance

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

we

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

108

read about in the

computer magazines. Usually the super system

we

priced just out of reach, so we pass on the dream for now. Maybe next year... desire

is

One way

have the dream system is to perform a competitive upgrade using most of the components in your existing system. Let's look at one of the things that must change. Review Figure 6-29, the ATX case, rear-view, with a slide-out motherboard mount. to

Figure 6-30 shows the case slide removed

Removal consists of separating the case from its cover, then removing the one from the

case.

screw that retains the case slide. After doing so, lift up on the top of the case slide and pull rearward. It will come out easily. Now you have easy access for component installation. Now, lay the case slide down on your work area with the inside facing upward. Place your motherboard over the case slide on the metal standoffs, aligning each standoff with a hole in the motherboard. Attach the motherboard to the case slide with the included screws. If any standoff does not align with a hole in the motherboard, remove it to prevent the possibility of shorting the motherboard to the case. Assemble the cards onto the case slide and the motherboard as shown in Figure 6-31. If you have built a computer before, you remember how difficult this action was with the older cases, since installing the add-in cards had to occur inside the tight confines of

Figure 6-33. Cables and slides in position for cable connection.

the case.

Check to ensure that all add-in cards are properly seated in their slots and screwed down to the case slide. Confirm that both the RAM and Athalon CPU are seated tightly in their slots. Look once more to ensure that no possibility of a short exists between any component and the case. Now, set this assembly in a safe place and prepare to install your drives in the case. The next step is installing the casemounted drives, including the CD-ROM(s), the hard disk(s), and the floppy disk(s). Install them

in the

new

same manner that the old case. Review

case in the

they were installed in Figure 6-32 for a sample installation.

Now,

connect

all

cables

to

these

'

M ,

fSx>

109

•

GETTING

IT

TOGETHER

•

109

Figure 6-34. Case slide in position to complete wiring.

components, including the power cables, while is uncluttered by the circuit boards and their cables. By now you realize that most of the difficulty in installation has been the case

eliminated by the

ATX

case designers.

After connecting the cables to the drives,

place the case in the upright position, allowing the cables to hang freely. Figure 6-33 shows exactly

what you should

see during this step.

Place the case slide on the two tracks, and gently slide

it

forward, until the motherboard

power connector reaches the power supply good example. There are a few things to be aware of as

cable. Figure 6-34 is a

you continue. As you connect cables between the hard disks, floppy disks, and CD-ROMs, be absolutely certain that you observe the proper orientation of the cables to the connectors.

have a red mark on the cable triangular indentation on the connector

All cables

and a

designating pin

mark on both

1.

There

a corresponding

is

the drive and the motherboard

connector designating pin

1

.

cable orientation will result in the

Failure to follow

damage

to either

motherboard or the drive.

Some keyed

peripherals and motherboards have

slots to

prevent plugging in the cables

incorrectly. Most CD-ROMs and a few newer motherboards share this safety feature. Also, be certain you do not place any cables on or near the power supply fan or the CPU fan. Fan failure is the primary reason for

microprocessor failure to date. Check all cables to ensure that there is no possibility they will impede airflow. If possible, tape or wire all cables to a secure place in the chassis to eliminate the possibility

of interaction with interruption.

Now

You

any fan or airflow

will be glad

for the truth

behind

you

did.

this adventure:

My

110

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

110

my shadow

because I had the Pentium 1.7 GHz blaster and she had my leftover Pentium 3, decided to ditch a day of work. Instead of running over to the local department store she visited the local computer parts vendors. Little did wife, forever in

I

realize she

was planning

a coup!

She had my draft of this book, about $600, and the desire to make me suffer, so she brought home a brand new ATX case and an AGP video card, compliments of the salesperson who knew it would improve her video graphics performance by 100 percent. She wrapped up the package by purchasing an Athalon 1.4 GHz processor, 512 MB of DDR RAM, and the latest American-made motherboard. She had the system up and running in less than two hours. After she burned my tail in a total system benchmark contest, she showed me the system. She also duplicated the assembly at my request so I could document the process for your benefit. Figure 6-35 shows her completing the assembly process by installing the case slide after connecting the cables to the motherboard that control the drives and connecting cables between the sound card and the CD-ROM. She

wrapped up the process by installing the cover. Of course, the system booted perfectly since the new motherboard was PnP compatible and had an auto-detect function for configuring the hard drives and CD-ROMs. Figure 6-36 shows the completed system with the cover on, booting for the first time. Not bad for a couple hour's work! Please take note of the small label under her left hand in Figure 6-35. That's where she wrote the CMOS settings for her hard disk, in case the auto-detect feature in

CMOS failed

to accurately

configure her hard disk. The information she wrote down is on the hard disk, but invisible

Figure 6-35. Seeing

is

believing: final assembly

after cabling.

mouse, but any applications you have already installed that

modem was

remember where

mouse

the

or

before will be confused.

Now, let's look at some ways to speed up your computer. Note: CMOS setup parameters are normally preset very conservatively to allow the use of slower processors and RAM.

Performance Tricks Several performance improvement methods are available in your CMOS setup, however, care must be taken in each case. Thoroughly test your system after each change and return the system to default values if any problems arise. These tricks work only if you have a fast Pentium 4 or Athalon system. Implementing them on anything less will result in poor performance or lockup.

The advanced

CMOS

settings for each

computer vary considerably. These settings assume a minimum of a Pentium 4, 2 GHz, Athalon 1400 or Athalon XP 1800+ and can be improved somewhat with faster processors. ,

when the hard disk is installed. One other thing to remember when you do such a complete upgrade

if

modem, be certain that which com port the mouse is

external of

is,

you have an you take note

•

the row address

set to before

you disassemble the old system. Swapping the com ports between the mouse and modem will cause some annoyance in reconfiguring them. The computer will auto-detect the modem and

DRAM RAS Pulse Width: down from

This

strobe (RAS)

is

is

the

number

of cycles

in width. Set this

6 to 5 to increase speed.

•

DRAM RAS# Precharge time: Bump this down to 2. DRAM RAS to CAS Delay: Change to 2. DRAM R/W Burst Length: Change to IT.

•

Fast

•

•

Command

On: Enables quicker

CPU

access times.

Ill

These settings are normally

•

GETTING

set

very

conservatively by the manufacturers of the motherboards and can be set to faster positions, as we are doing, with the faster processors installed. The performance increase is

significant.

Now

speed up hard-drive access time. Formatting the with NTFS, the NT File System, increases hard disk access speeds and reduces file and directory location times. This only works for NT-based software such as Windows NT, 2K, Millennium and XP. If these methods cause your computer to let's

HDD

experience unexpected problems, such as locking up or rebooting by itself, reset your BIOS parameters more conservatively before

and

adapter card with 64

a good, fast video-

MB

of

memory

TOGETHER

also

111

•

speed up

a fast

machine

CD52X CD-

significantly.

ROM ROM

caching software will turn a into the equivalent of a 100X or better without any hardware changes. The most important upgrade capability involves the processor, as prices of the faster processors steadily fall. That is the best time to

buy

a processor-only upgrade.

You can have few hundred

today's $3,000 performance for dollars when the opportunity arises.

You have and saved

built the

computer of your choice

bundle doing it. You have found and debugged the a

reading documentation

conflicts

by

Chapter 8). You have even taken a look at hot-rodding your system without spending another dime.

Now,

looking at other reasons for the failures.

DDR SDRAM

IT

(or referring to

look into the future and get an idea of how we can upgrade the system we have, when the time comes. let's

Keeping

New

It

UPGRADING OLDER COMPUTERS When

queried, most individuals would rather upgrade their existing computer than buy a new one. The reasons are varied as are their unique applications and needs. The two computers I presently have are hybrids of the numerous upgrades I have performed. Upgrading saves money— this is a fact. It gives you the performance of a new machine at a fraction of the cost. It's also a way to buy a new computer one piece at a time, allowing you to have a new computer without the immense bill normally associated with a purchase of that magnitude.

The

original title of this chapter

the actions of a friend.

He

is

was influenced by

a published expert in the

frequency synthesis and PLL digital communication techniques. He also proudly owns and uses a 386-40 ISA computer. This is the age of the Pentium 4, but he still clings tenaciously to the past. I have been leaving notes in his desk and e-mail with the message upgi'ade or perish. He pays me no mind and just pumps out another book or technical document. This leads me to the most important subject in this chapter: field of digital

upgrading older computers. Several options apply to upgrading older systems. The upgrade can be a simple memory increase, monitor upgrade, processor upgrade, motherboard and add-in card upgrade, or my favorite— empty the case and start over. 113

114

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

The most common upgrade

is the motherboard swap. Let's look at this upgrade step by step. It can be the easiest and quickest way to get light-speed performance from an outdated and slow computer.

THE MOTHERBOARD If you read Chapter 6, you know how very important it is to have your CMOS setup

information preserved. Imagine trying to read the setup information from an installed hard drive's top cover. Make a copy of your CMOS setup before you attempt any upgrades.

To access your CMOS setup, most computers have a startup message telling you which key to press to enter setup. The most common key is the Del key, followed by the Esc key.

When

the

and

CMOS

screen

is

SCRN keys

displayed, press

setup information. If you don't have a printer, write down the information for the hard drive. You the shift

print

to print the

need the number of cylinders, heads, sectors, landing zone, and pre-comp data. If you know the mode information of your

will

hard drive, include it. Scan all areas of your CMOS setup for information on hard disks, CD-ROM devices and any other add-in devices, including pipeline cache and EDO

RAM or SDRAM.

reconnection. Use a permanent marker to avoid confusion when you disconnect these cables sometime later. Remove the rear panel screws that hold the cover on. They are located at each outside corner and in the top center on the rear panel of a desktop case. The typical tower cover has one screw in each outside corner on the rear

Many

of the

newer

cases, designed for

those that like to tamper, have hand-tightened lugs instead of screws. The next step is documenting the cables

and connections have the manual

114

unnecessary. I recommend that first-time upgraders take a picture of the computer's interior in addition to documenting cable connection and placement. If you have the documentation on each add-in card and the motherboard, this level of care is unnecessary. If you don't take a picture, make a sketch of each card and cable's placement in the system. Mark the interior cables and connectors to ensure correct replacement when the job is complete. Mark the cable and the connector on the same side to ensure you do not install the cable backwards. I recommend leaving the cables connected to the hard drive, CD-ROM, tape drive, and floppy disk drives, if possible, and only disconnecting the opposite end of the cable.

Remove

the cables for front panel switches

and LED indicators. These can normally be traced back to the switch or indicator, so marking them may not be necessary. Remove the two power connectors on the motherboard, at the rear near the power supply. To be removed, they must be pulled up and angled toward the center of the motherboard. For clarification, refer to Figure 6-5 in Chapter 6 and read the material about connecting to the motherboard. (ATX cases have a single power connector that is keyed for safety.)

You are now ready

Shut off your computer and disconnect the power cables, monitor, keyboard, mouse and any other cables on the rear panel. Mark the cables and the connectors for future

panel.

•

motherboard. for the motherboard,

to the

If

you

this is

to

remove the add-in

Remove

the screws that hold in the cards. They are screwed in at the rear panel through the add-in card retainers. Ground yourself by touching the cover you removed. Place the add-in cards on this cover. Do not stack the cards on each other— it is possible to damage sensitive components that way. Find the one or two screws that retain and ground the motherboard. Remove them and slide the motherboard from the case. The plastic standoffs will come free of the case slides, and the motherboard can be removed and placed on the cover with the other cards. Some motherboards do not have plastic slides, but are attached to metal standoffs by screws. In this case, all the cards.

screws need to be removed. Make a mental note at this time to observe

115

the location of

all

the metal standoffs

KEEPING

•

when

new

motherboard; ensure that there is a hole in the motherboard for each metal standoff in the case. If not, remove each unused standoff by screwing it from the case installing the

so

it

when

will not

damage

the

new motherboard

installed.

Refer to the documentation that came with the new motherboard and ensure the default jumper positions are correct for your processor and memory and types. Compare the two motherboards at this time and determine where each cable removed from the original motherboard will connect to its replacement. Refer to the section in Chapter 6 on motherboard installation for further useful information.

Check the mounting configuration on the new motherboard. Transfer the plastic

new motherboard. Refer to Chapter 6 for the solution if one or more of the standoffs do not align with the case. Look at Figures 6-6 and 6-9 in Chapter 6. Transfer any RAM you intend to use onto the new motherboard. If you have upgraded to a much faster processor, like the Athalon standoffs to the

You should install RDRAM for the Pentium 4 and DDR RAM for the Athalon processor to receive the full benefit of this upgrade. The few dollars spent will be worth it. The documentation will tell you if you must install the RAM in a specific slot or bank. You are now ready to install the new 1800+ or a Pentium

motherboard

4,

disregard this step.

in the case.

Install the motherboard by reversing the procedure you used to remove the original. Connect the power cables first, making certain the black wires are alongside each other at the inside of the two connectors. If you incorrectly install these connectors, the black wires will be on the outside, and turning on the computer will send the motherboard to PC heaven. Uses the motherboard documentation to place the remaining cables in their correct position and then install the video card and all

other add-in cards. If

your

new motherboard

has onboard

IDE

IT

NEW

•

115

I/O functions, do not install your existing I/O card. This

is

the card that

IDE

was connected

and the extra hard I/O add-in rear panel slide. Figure 3-2 in Chapter 3 shows the card. Instead, refer to the disk, the floppy disk,

to the

motherboard documentation and install the cable from the hard and floppy drives, then the I/O rear panel slide to the motherboard.

components are now hooked disconnected from Reconnect everything up. the back panel and replace the cover. Never turn on anything plugged into the wall socket All internal

with the cover removed.

A

motherboard powered up for the first time must have the CMOS configuration information updated. Using the motherboard documentation, turn the computer on and start the

setup routine. Type in the date, time, information concerning the

and all CMOS hard and floppy drives, and CD-ROM if required. Use auto-detect functions for the hard drive and CD-ROM drives for simplicity, if

available in standard

CMOS.

Exit the setup routine

and allow the

computer to reboot. Pat yourself on the back, and then go to the bank with the hundreds of dollars you just saved. Some people upgrade the video card to an AGP type when they upgrade their motherboard. I always install the motherboard first and then get the other goodies later. This allows me to thoroughly evaluate the motherboard alone and then check out the other parts later. It is no fun to do a complete upgrade and then have one bad part hang up the system. Always keep your older components for a while, in case you need to use them as troubleshooting aids sell

them

later.

Then

to a less fortunate friend.

Run your new motherboard overnight burn

to

anything is going to fail, it will probably do so in the first 24 to 48 hours of operation. Do a thorough test of your computer after 48 hours to ensure you have a functional system. After performing these operations, you will know the project it

in.

If

was successful. Now, let's discuss why anyone would want to

upgrade a perfectly operational computer.

116

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

WHY UPGRADE?

means

the

flexibility

Occasionally upgrades are forced upon us. mine bought a version of Microsoft Office that slowed down his computer tremendously. Why? The program requires 64 MB of to run effectively, and his computer only had 64 of installed. A quick trek to the computer store and a modest purchase fixed his problem. He now has 128 MB of and a much faster For example, a friend of

RAM

MB

RAM

RAM

machine as well. Another example: A client of mine likes multimedia packages. She bought a high-end computer game with embedded video clips, but hated the horrible performance. The video was jerky and unrealistic. She had invested a bundle on a six-CD game she couldn't play. The reason it was unacceptable was that she had a single-speed CD-ROM drive, which is good enough for data transfer but not fast enough for good, smooth video performance. Again, the solution was an easy upgrade she performed herself. The 52X CD-ROM drive she installed cost her very little money and 20 minutes of her time. I have built many hundreds of computers, ranging from DEC workstations and Tektronix information display systems in my years with Tektronix, to the faster Pentium 4 and Athalon

just

machines my clients occasionally require. I have noted the primary reason a computer becomes obsolete to the user is a change in software requirements. This forces many good computers into a premature burial. When is a computer obsolete? I've learned that a computer that fills its required purpose is never obsolete. If you never have the desire or need to upgrade your software, you may never want to upgrade your computer. Why do software programmers write programs that have high hardware requirements? The primary reason is that programmers aim their software at the fastest computers available. They fear mortality. The faster machines show off the programs better than slow ones, and the programmers have more flexibility writing programs for faster machines. More memory in a computer

116

•

programmer has even more with his program code. All

programmers write code

for the best

and

machines available so their hard work doesn't become obsolete in a few years. It is hard to write programs with high levels of functionality for slow machines with small amounts of memory. The limitation of speed makes many visually oriented programs, such as Windows 9X and most multimedia programs, run slowly or not at all. Most programs today must grab the user's attention and keep it, so they must be visually oriented and interact with the user. And, of course, programs like these consume memory. These reasons make programmers constantly strive for speed and functionality in their programming. If you plan on upgrading or replacing your current system, be certain you are doing it for fastest

the right reason. Upgrading or replacing a

system that performs to your requirements may not be a good idea, particularly if increased speed is not a concern. Save your money until your system fails to meet your requirements and a real need arises. Do not succumb to advertising literature telling you that you must have the latest and greatest software update unless you actually need the improvements the upgrade offers.

TO UPGRADE OR REPLACE When

deciding between upgrading your system or replacing it entirely, consider the following items: •

How old is your monitor? If is a 17-inch SVGA monitor, it is worth saving. A 17inch SVGA non-interlaced monitor is it

worth between $100 and $150. •

How

old

is

the motherboard?

If it is

a

2 or older, the expense of replacing the motherboard, all the add-in cards, and the memory will probably justify replacing the case and everything in

Pentium

You can some of the

it.

your Pentium 2

sell

cost. Also,

a non-interlaced

want

to replace

SVGA

it

if

to offset

the monitor

is

not

monitor, you might

as well.

117

•

•

KEEPING

Generally, replace a Pentium 2 or older

the monitor is not a 17-inch SVGA non-interlaced monitor. The older monitors fall short in high-quality, visually oriented programs. The add-in cards will have to be upgraded to PCI or AGP to work in a new Pentium 4, Athalon 1400 or faster motherboard. This makes upgrading and replacing similar in price, assuming you plan to build the new system instead of buying a new one.

system

if

If you have an upgradeable Athalon or Pentium 4 motherboard, you probably also have a SVGA monitor. You can upgrade this system by replacing the processor alone and get performance improvements of twice the speed or better. The price of a fast Athalon processor is around $120, and $260 buys you the fastest Pentium 4 processor available today. I would suggest getting an Athalon processor and motherboard. Then you only have to add a $50 video card and you have a complete fast system. The IDE I/O function is built in. What this means is a complete

upgrade (less RAM) will cost around $200, and your system will beat a comparable Pentium in performance and speed significantly. In the decision to upgrade or replace, consider the age of the components in your

you can live with a slight improvement in performance, upgrade the system.

If

motherboard and use the slower existing addin cards from your original system. Obviously, for a few dollars more you can make the jump to light speed and be obsolescence worry free for a while.

you want the full performance of an AGP/PCI system, it will be as cheap to buy a new case and build this system inside it.

IT

NEW

•

117

PROCESSOR OR MOTHERBOARD-RELATED UPGRADES For some reason, most people shy away from upgrading the CPU. I find it the easiest and most beneficial upgrade you can perform. The CPU is a drop-in upgrade for most of the newer motherboards. This upgrade starts with a quick perusal of your motherboard documentation. Verify which processors your motherboard supports and confirm the location of which jumpers, if any, you must move.

To upgrade a Pentium microprocessorbased motherboard, determine if its BIOS supports the Pentium 4 and Celeron processor line. If it does, you can upgrade to beyond Pentium 3 speed. If not, you may have to be satisfied with a little more than doubling your system performance. Upgrading a Pentium 4 system is similar to upgrading a Celeron machine, though you have more options. The Athalon processor upgrades clobber a comparable Pentium processor's speed. Of course, the faster Pentium processors are drop-in upgrades to most Pentium motherboards. To upgrade to Athalon requires a new motherboard and RAM. Another drop-in performance improvement is DDR RAM for the Athalon and

RDRAM

Pentium 4, which will buy you 30 to 35 percent improvement in overall speed. The speed difference is significant, as for the

both of these types of RAM can transfer data on either edge of a clock pulse, making them twice as fast, minus latency and a few other things too hard to spell.

If

Remember

the Athalon upgrade in Chapter 6?

your old system for more than you will pay for the new case and the loaded motherboard. The price of the case is the only addition to the price of buying new versus upgrading. I am assuming you will use the same floppy and hard drives. Now, let's look into upgrading systems that are less than two years old.

You can

HARDWARE IMPROVEMENTS ON NEWER COMPUTERS

sell

Generally, everything you can add to a computer gets faster with time and technical evolution. The improvement in video adapter cards is significant in departments other than speed. You can upgrade to hardware MPEG video movie support with the replacement of your existing video card. Watch the ads. The price of this upgrade

is

falling fast.

118

CD-ROM

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

drives are constantly increasing

No

sooner did I find a good deal on a 32X drive than the 48X drives hit the market. I just test-drove a 52X recently. It is noteworthy to mention that I saw no difference in performance between my 48X and the 42X I evaluated, but software is currently being developed that will use the in speed.

increase in speed.

new

sound cards are out in force, many gaming people have coded some extremely realistic games and multimedia programs that use the improvements. The sound card has come a long way and an upgrade of this nature will give some people an extreme rush. Live sound Since the

64-voice

with surround-sound and full Dolby are commonplace. Most programs, however, do not make use of the improvements. Read all of the documentation regarding hardware and other requirements to make certain you will gain measurable performance.

SOFTWARE UPGRADES

Upgrading

do you upgrade your software, and why? I have been asked this question many times. I upgrade when the newer version fixes a bug I wish to get rid of, or when new software offers something I can't live without. The only other time I will upgrade is if the

operating system I am using becomes obsolete. An example is DOS version 3 or earlier. Most DOS software requires DOS 4 or newer, and prefers DOS 5 or 6. You have to keep software for more than five years to run into a problem like this. Upgrading software is an expensive process if you have 60 GB of software like me. Upgrade only if there is value to you in the result. Remember, if you keep upgrading

is

the

most inexpensive way

to

keep your computer current, if that is what you wish. I need to be on top of the current high end of computer technology since I work with many people who need the latest in performance. I have not purchased a new computer since 1994, yet two of my computers are state of the art.

most of what is removed from my computer as I upgrade. Every year or so, I put everything I have removed into a new case and build a system. I install the software I no longer use on it and transfer the software licenses to the person who buys the system. I refer the buyer to a local vendor who buys and sells equipment, and the person buys an SVGA monitor for $110 and a keyboard and mouse pair for $15. They have a computer and I have the money. This action accomplishes two things— it keeps me from becoming a pack rat and it reduces my upgrade costs. I found out that my Pentium 3 cost me about $600 after I subtracted revenue from selling the old stuff. The Pentium 3 had two 3.5-inch floppies, two 20-GB hard drives, a 5-GB tape backup sell

system, a

When

118

software, sooner or later you must upgrade your computer. It's a never-ending cycle.

I

SOUND CARDS

•

scanner,

My Athalon

32X CD-ROM

and

printer.

drive, a flatbed color

Not bad

for a

mere $600!

wife just turned that computer into an XP 1800+ with a gig of RAM, a DVD

A CD-RW, the same two floppies, and GB hard drive for less than $300 after

recorder, a 100

Pentium stuff and the CD-ROM. As you can see, upgrading is the most inexpensive way to get a new machine if your existing computer is fairly new. If you have a very old machine, I recommend selling it and applying the money toward parts for the new system. (Be advised that computer software licenses must stay with the original software disks and you cannot sell copies of your software. You give up the right to use any selling the

software you

sell.)

8 When

Things

Go Wrong COMMON CONFLICT AREAS Hopefully you have a successfully operating machine and you are reading this chapter for information only. Maybe you are intending to help an unfortunate friend ferret out a few bugs in his computer. But if you and Murphy are good friends, we know why you are here. Murphy's Law says if something can possibly go wrong, it will. He is right. Occasionally, I will come across his magic working in a friend's computer and sometimes it finds a way into mine. I have seen a number of configuration issues in my time and have read numerous books and articles on these issues. These are the most common problems and ways to deal with them.

DMA CONFLICTS DMA

channels and see who uses what. Remember from the introductory chapter that many add-in cards require direct memory access channels and no two items in the computer can share the Let's look at the

same address. •

DMA

This signal line is internal to the motherboard and is used to refresh memory. There is no conflict possibility with this line. 0:

119

120

•

DMA

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

This line is available and primarily used by sound cards. You may have a conflict here if you default install a sound card and then install a SCSI adapter for a

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

1:

scanner or other host device. This

common

mistake.

DMA

This line

2:

is

is

must also be unique between hardware add-on components. lines

•

a

also

•

DMA

or the keyboard

This line is available and is the primary choice for many Sound Blastercompatible sound cards. I found out the hard way that some IEEE controller cards and network cards use this line as a

•

is

to

DMA

•

•

Available for sound cards and SCSI adapters. It is 16-bit stereo sound compatible. Watch for conflicts between sound cards and SCSI cards. 6: Available for Sound Blastercompatible sound cards. 5:

7:

Like

DMA

5,

available for

sound

cards and SCSI adapters. •

There

up set

is

EGA

to the •

DMA DMA

quite a bit of flexibility in setting

DMA channels. Remember that up DMA channels, you need to

when you set

up the

add-on cards with the least amount of flexibility first. The least flexibility normally can be found on any 8-bit card and many network cards. Make a point to set up AGP and PCI cards last, and be certain to configure all manually configurable cards before installing and configuring PnP add-on cards. If you have any conflicts attributable to settings, the information presented here should fix the problem.

DMA

or

IRQ

if

IRQ

you

lines. Let's take a look.

from the introduction

that interrupt request

EGA

video adapters,

Watch for conflicts if backward compatible

IRQ

are using

9.

IRQ

9

to talk to the processor.

interrupt controller.)

normally assigned to COM2 and COM4. Some older 8-bit network cards came with this setting as the default. This is a conflict in most systems and requires you to reconfigure the network card. IRQ 4: This line is normally assigned to COM1 and COM3. As with IRQ 3, this line can be configured on sound cards, network cards, and modems, so be aware of the

IRQ

is

conflict possibilities.

This line was originally set up for a second parallel printer port. It is commonly used for sound cards, but most other devices can be set to this line. A tape drive may wind up being set to this line, particularly if it has a tape drive 5:

accelerator card. •

IRQ

6:

The floppy-drive

controllers grab

Often someone will use it for a tape drive or sound card if concurrent floppy drive use never occurs. This can be a this line.

conflict area in

Remember

is

IRQ

This line

a sound card

certain

for

programmable

3:

numerous •

IRQ CONFLICTS You have control over which device uses

cause problems with

(Use this line for network cards. It is not an ideal choice for 16-bit stereo sound cards and may rob the card of stereo performance. Some systems assign this line

This is the controller line. It unavailable in most machines for other

DMA

Once used

2:

your video adapter

applications. •

IRQ

this line is available.

often uses this

DMA 4:

may

this line.

3:

default. •

0: The system timer uses this line. It only available for the motherboard's use. If any conflicts are reported here, there is a problem with the motherboard. IRQ 1: This line is for the keyboard's use.

The signal is available for the keyboard and motherboard only. The motherboard

drive simultaneously. •

IRQ

is

for the floppy disk

You may

piggyback a tape drive here. Occasional conflicts occur if you try to use a tape drive and floppy drives to share.

120

•

•

some

is set

systems, particularly

to this line.

IRQ

7:

first

parallel printer port.

The primary use

conflicts

if

for this line is the

when background

Watch out printing

if

for

you

121

•

•

•

•

•

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

and configure any items whose default

Input/output devices require unique addresses to operate; two devices with the same address will not operate properly. The following list shows the addresses occupied by most add-in cards and resident operations. These address schemes are the most common utilizations and give you an idea of

default set to this line.

how

IRQ

10:

Use

sound cards or

this line for

network

cards, particularly

numbers

are utilized elsewhere.

settings conflict.

the network card

down

to

IRQ

10

if

I/O

ties

up

•

•

Any error associated with means, of course, shoot the

motherboard. IRQ 14: This

is

the secondary

IDE

If

system, it is an ideal setting for a SCSI hard disk controller. IRQ 15: The primary IDE hard disk controller lives here. As with IRQ 14, you may do anything with this line if onboard

IDE

installed in

These

•

•

•

Conflicts found here

DMA

areas.

may

motherboard jumpers.

Make

a

list

of these

DMA and IRQ settings

3.

2F8h: Assigned as a default to

COM2,

as

is

3.

•

300h: Warning: Steer clear of this setting if you use Windows 95. Sometimes used for network cards, Windows 95 uses this address and causes conflicts with any devices set to this address.

•

320h: This is a common network card setting. Avoid it if you have a SCSI adapter

be an indication of defective components, but 99 percent of all conflicts are in the setup of the add-in cards or

setting is the common Sound Blaster addressing. With IRQ 5, this address is

This

the default setting for the secondary printer port. 280h: This is a common choice for network, IEEE, and occasionally SCSI adapter cards. 2A0h: This is a common choice for network, IEEE, and occasionally SCSI adapter cards. 2E8h: Assigned as a default to COM4, as is

IRQ

cover most of the

and IRQ

278h:

IRQ •

your computer.

bits of information

240h:

commonly

controller functions are not

conflicts seen in the

130h: SCSI controller add-in cards often use this address. 140h: SCSI controller add-in cards often use this address. 220h: Sound Blaster emulation on compatible cards uses this address. This is the default setting for the real Sound

alternative to

hard-

you have no IDE hard disk or adapter present in your

or add-in

The

Blaster sound card. •

this line.

disk controller line.

•

•

The numeric processor operation

this line

ADDRESSES

to clear addressing conflicts. addresses are in hexadecimal notation.

•

add-on card use. 13:

this will solve

any setup problems.

•

you have network and SCSI cards installed. IRQ 12: This is the default line for the onboard PS/2 mouse. Most computers do not use this type of mouse, so this line is available for network, sound, or any other

IRQ

Chances are

the lower

if all

IRQ 11: SCSI cards often come set to this number. Multiple SCSI adapters may

Bump

•

121

attempt to share this port with another add-on card. IRQ 8: Your motherboard uses this line for the real time clock. If something reports an error with this line, you must shoot the motherboard, i.e., return it to the vendor. (Note: the CMOS uses this line also. System information programs report this line as "CMOS and real time clock. ") IRQ 9: Since this line shares with IRQ 2, it is a high-priority line. A high-speed network card will scream when set to this IRQ. Many 16-bit network cards are

require the use of this line and others.

•

•

at •

address 330h.

330h: This is a common choice for network, IEEE, and occasionally SCSI adapter cards.

122

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

340h: This is a common choice for network, IEEE, and occasionally SCSI

•

122

for operation at another address, be sure

edit the net.cfg file in your

system

you

to reflect

•

adapter cards. 360h: Warning: Network cards set to this

your root directory on the drive your

•

address will conflict with your primary printer port, unless you change the printer default from 378h. 378h: This is the default primary printer

computer boots from, normally the C drive. If you use Windows 9X, you must go to the control panel and change the resource configuration under either the Windows 9X

port address.

network or System icons.

•

•

3BCh: This is a good alternate setting if you must move the primary printer port address default setting. 3E8h: This address is assigned to as

•

is

IRQ

is

IRQ

is

assigned

to

COMl,

Occasionally, you will find intermittent or sporadic behavior. Be certain you check addresses for conflicts if any of these devices are inoperative or intermittent. The addresses normally are not a problem in systems with

PnP

cards installed.

Here's a problem I found in Windows 95 during the initial installation on a network

machine. Remember the note about address 300h I mentioned earlier in this chapter? Yes, Murphy is alive and well. Things to avoid when installing Windows 95 on a network

machine

•

•

Typically,

if

you

set

up your computer

correctly and are starting a

4.

follow.

your network card is set to address 300h, reset it to either 340h or 280h. Avoid address 320h, since a SCSI device installed now or later at address 330h will screw up the system. Avoid address 360h, to eliminate a conflict possibility caused by a parallel If

port interface installed address 378h.

now

or later at

file in

BACK TO HOME USE

COM3,

4.

3F8h: This address as

•

the changed address. You will find this

new

system, very

few conflicts will occur. In BIOS, set the PnP aware flag. It is worded differently in each motherboard BIOS, but will say something like: "Plug and Play Aware O/S" and the options will be "yes" or "no."

Always

select "yes."

Doing so

will allow

the BIOS to initialize PnP cards for boot purposes only. The affected cards will be any SCSI adapters, video adapters, and IDE/I/O cards and adapters necessary to display and control functions absolutely necessary for boot purposes. When Windows 9X, NT, 2K, Millennium, or XP starts, the remaining cards and software will be allowed to grab the necessary resources required. This is the best way to eliminate conflicts before they can occur.

Most conflicts in a home computer come from sound card installation or configuration issues. To determine if your sound card is causing the headaches you are experiencing, remove it from your system. If the system works, the sound card was the culprit. If your sound card is giving you fits, here's how to find out why. The sound card is a resource hog. It needs three of your resources: channel, an IRQ line, and a unique a

DMA

Network

installation

under Windows 95

is

hardware address.

When you

automatic, and you will not realize you have a conflict unless

you try

after installation. If

to

network soon

you are missing the

you simply cannot access the network, you may have this

Network Neighborhood

icon, or

if

type of conflict. If you have to reconfigure a network card

sound

card,

it

install the software for

your

should create a record of these

settings in your Windows SYSTEM.INI file. You will see a DOS record of the information in a line in your CONFIG.SYS file, too. Here

are

some examples. Config.sys entry:

123

•

WHEN THINGS GO WRONG

DEVICEHIGH = C:\PASTUDIO\MVSOUND.SY S D:6

Q:7 S:l,220,l,5

This Pro Audio driver shows the

IRQ

set to 7, emulation information.

Windows SYSTEM.INI

DMA

set

and Sound Blaster

that

way

entry:

DMA

this picture? First

settings for

look

Windows and

a conflict? Absolutely not!

This card, like many other sound cards, is completely software configurable. The nice thing about software configurability

is

the capability of different

on the card

for different operating

systems. This actually reduces conflicts, since

different operating systems have different resources available.

What does this mean? If your DOS settings cause problems in Windows, set the sound card to another or IRQ setting in the

DMA

Windows restored,

configuration. if

The

DOS

settings are

when exiting Windows. sound card you must

you

specify,

you have a configure with jumpers, be certain your If

configuration

files

reflect

the

exact

configuration specified by the jumpers.

UPGRADE HEADACHES Some or

conflicts occur after upgrading

more

component and the

others, try a different

when

to try a different setting

a conflict

conflict areas.

differ. Is this

settings

cannot

If you between one

satisfy the conflict

occurs is to remove the item by using the system resource tools shown in Figure 8-1. Figure 8-2 shows a clean screen with no

What's wrong with

DOS

not work with other brands.

brand. This nearly always works. The best

[mvproaud] dma = 7 irq = 7

shows

123

components available out there, of occasionally one manufacturer's component

may to 6, the

•

components.

A

new

one

PCI

motherboard and PCI video card may not like some of the older cards you transfer from your old motherboard. Generally, upgrades go flawlessly. Try to isolate the questionable device or add-on card causing the conflict. If you are upgrading, you have a replacement for each new part. Try swapping in the original parts

like this

find the offending component, if

possible.

DMA,

IRQ, With the myriad

try different configurations for

and I/O address,

mouse the Logitech Marble USB

installer did not "turn off" the original

before installing mouse, and now he has two mice installed in the hardware configuration, causing a conflict and probably no mouse capabilities. Now the fix: first, navigate through "my computer" to "control panel" and through "system" to show the system properties. Select the "hardware" button, then "device manager." Select the offending mouse button, the one with the red "X," and select "remove" from the options list. Reboot, and the correct mouse drivers will be correctly and automatically installed. If they are not, have the installation drivers handy and select the hardware conflict troubleshooter. Install the driver using the onscreen instructions. These instructions are for Windows 9X, NT, 2K, Millennium, and XP. The screens will vary slightly, but the basic path is the same.

important to remember that a motherboard with onboard IDE I/O will not accept installation of an add-on IDE I/O card with the same DMA, IRQ, or I/O address settings. The default settings for both are the same. Never install an additional IDE I/O card It

is

without

first setting

the defaults differently.

Remember,

the only reason to install an IDE I/O card in your computer is if the function on the motherboard is either additional

obsolete or defective.

until the conflict is resolved.

When you

Figure 8-1 shows the hardware conflict screen. Note that the mouse shows up twice in this instance because a standard mouse was upgraded to a mouse that uses a USB port. The

Some video rid of

work well with

cards do not

certain brands of I/O card.

You

will have to get

one of the two. Of course,

if

your

124

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

124

Figure 8-1. The resource screen showing a conflict.

motherboard has onboard IDE I/O functions, the problem is already solved. Remember that a PCI motherboard with onboard IDE I/O needs only a video card to run. When upgrading, start with only the one card installed, then add the others one at a time. You will find the offending component quickly. Now, let's examine problems with new systems.

New

systems have their share of problems, but not as many as older computers. With the enhanced bus and additional 32-bit extended configuration additions, there are considerably

fewer

conflicts,

and many more configuration

options available.

Most conflicts in new systems occur due to more than one device sharing the same DMA, IRQ, or I/O setting. Confirming the default settings do not conflict and ensuring that

components are configured properly with the default settings easily remedies these conflicts.

What

my

computer doesn't initialize? If all portions of Chapter 6 are followed, this is the least frequently occurring problem. Common causes for a computer not starting are unseated RAM, unseated add-in cards, and configuration BIOS not set properly. Confirm that all RAM is seated properly. Remove and reinstall each RAM SIMM or if

DIMM. Check

the cards for proper seating.

you have onboard IDE I/O, confirm the plug-in cables are seated properly and If

installed correctly.

Try to boot up again. If this doesn't work, remove all add-in cards except the video card on motherboards with onboard IDE I/O. Leave the IDE I/O card installed on those motherboards without this option.

125

iiBstart

£3

Figure 8-2.

A

S 8

O

>

3

3

129

•

DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE

•

129

programs make This

f

is

to these files.

particularly important

if

newly installed program

a

********************************* * * Overall Performance Index

*****•************•**•******+***•


|

+

can

all

moment

it

invoked. To initialize it, just type MSD anywhere in your computer and it will work if a path to your DOS directory is spelled out in your AUTOEXEC.BAT file. You can perform searches for subjects and files from MSD and print out about 15 pages of detailed system information, including your is

AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, WIN. INI, and

130

SYSTEM.INI files. available in MS-DOS and

6.0

•

MSD

BUILD, UPGRADE,

is

for

•

130

System

E2E3

versions The graph below shows the speed of your system (CPU, memory, and motherboard), compared to the speed of other systems for running common 32-bit applications. For example, a typical 90-MHz Pentium system is 20 4 times faster than a typical 1 6-MHz 386SX system for these types of applications.

later.

The Norton Peter

enchmark

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

Close Information

Utilities

Norton put together a

suite of diagnostic routines that

dominates the market for superior and easy-to-use diagnostics. Both Windows 9X and Windows 2K are supported. Figure 9-2 shows benchmarks using Norton Figures 9-3 and 9-4 complete the look at Norton Utilities benchmarking. Utilities.

Now, let's look at the Windows 9X version of the same test. The Windows 9X version

and

a 32-bit program your computer's use 32-bit code. The

performance will be different than that presented by a 16bit test program, even the 16bit version of Norton Utilities

shown

486DX-33

Figure 9-3. Pentium 200

Pentium-90

Your System

MMX benchmark,

SDRAM, on

Norton.

is

tests

ability to

386SX-16

Benchmark

for

System

The graph below shows the speed of your system (CPU, memory and motherboard), compared to the speed of other systems for running common 32-bit applications. For example, a typical 90-MHz Pentium system is 20.4 times faster than a typical 1 6-MHz 386SX system for these types of applications.

Close Information

above.

This

program

is

representative of the type of

programming

becoming computer available as software experts become

proficient at 32-bit

program

Programmers who use 32-bit programming have

skills.

more

flexibility, since the

programs run very current machines

fast

on

386SX- 16

486DX-33

the computer's operating system Figure 9-4. Pentium supports them. Examples of 32-bit operating systems are Windows 9X (a hybrid incorporating both 16and 32-bit code), OS-2 WARP, Windows NT, Windows 2K, Millennium, and Windows XP all

of

which are all

Your System

if

straight 32-bit code.

programs available today are Windows 9X compatible and written in 32-bit code. It is refreshing to note the previous benchmarks and test data that once was the Virtually

Pentium-90

II-333

MHz

benchmark, SDRAM, on Norton.

standard for measurement and analysis of the PC. As you read further, note the migration of both the diagnostic software and the

performance improvements of the hardware being tested.

Now,

let's

take a look at the current state

when

comes to benchmarking programs. Norton and the other programs mentioned have the handle on protecting, of the art

it

131

•

DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE

•

131

addition to system information and benchmark testing, the Norton utility In

package provides

compre-

hensive data protection. In Windows 9X, you can protect the trashcan from being accidentally emptied, which has saved many important files from destruction. The image

program creates an exact duplicate of your table in case the

file

archive

hard disk area

becomes damaged. The speed disk program arranges files and directories in beneath

it

contiguous order, so fewer disk

revolutions are required to store and retrieve data. There Figure 9-5. Benchmarks for and speed.

AMD and

Pentium Processors, moderate

are

many

will let

price

other features but

you discover them

I

for

yourself.

Norton Disk Doctor is a I cannot do without. I'm constantly screwing up my system,

program that

though not intentionally. Trying

some new and exciting global commands, I hang up even the most stable environments. Can

Figure 9-6.

Benchmarks

for the fastest currently available processors.

and correcting problems, but the following examples of benchmarks have exclusive dominion over actual performance variances between computer types. diagnosing,

Now

look at the faster processors currently offered by and Intel. The benchmarks are a composite of the combined performance of the processor combined with the fastest possible components available to support that processor and motherboard combination. let's

AMD

you say fatal disk error? Both Diskfix and Unerase have bailed me out of trouble when I tried something new and different to save time. I invariably find a way to hang my system with open folders, which creates nasty things

called widows and orphans. Norton Utilities has restored my disk integrity, and sanity, on each occasion. The most informative program, Ndiags, provides information on your CPU, memory, DMA, IRQ, and CMOS information. This information is necessary if you plan to upgrade

your system. Let's not forget the Norton Rescue Disk. When you install Norton Utilities, you have the capability of creating a rescue disk

on a bootable

.

.

132

BUILD, UPGRADE,

•

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

you to boot your system even if you damage the data on it. The Norton Utilities package is available from Symantec Corporation < www.symantec.com > floppy. This will allow

and

fix

it,

PC TOOLS you need extensive and comprehensive utilities, this is the program you want. You can find and fix hard disk boot records and If

partitions, lost clusters

and damaged

archive tables. Like Norton

you

create an

PC

emergency

file

Utilities, this lets

program alone is worth the price. It also comprehensively and repeatedly tests your computer while you sleep. What if you find something wrong and don't know what to do next? QAPlus Windows version allows you to connect via modem to their electronic technical support center. You can electronically compose and send a test report. You will be notified by DiagSoft about how to alleviate the pain associated with a of this

sick computer.

The

disk.

Tools has an extensive virus scan and

cleanup program that supports identification of more than 1,000 viruses. It can be updated online by subscription, like Norton Antivirus, so it is extremely useful in the very sensitive business environment. PC Tools and Central Point Software have merged with Symantec, the creator of the Norton Utility package. Central Point Software can be reached through < www.symantec.com > .

PC911 Normally considered a companion to First Aid for Windows Users, this program tracks all changes to PC configuration files. Found at

, it offers a lowcost alternative to some of the expensive utility programs previously mentioned.

132

•

QA

series of products

is

available at

by selecting DiagSoft, the manufacturer.

QEMM This

memory manager from Quarterdeck

Office Systems

'90s

when

I

first

interested

needed

method

of controlling

in

a nice

it

is

me

in the early

more sophisticated memory use. Embedded a

system information program

called Manifest.

Quarterdeck Office Systems has several good utility programs on the market, including Sidebar and Internet Suite. The entire package is a cost-effective and realistic support group for anyone interested in keeping their computer in top shape. Quarterdeck programs are available from local retailers or the

Discount Computer < www.cdw.com >

Warehouse

ScanDisk

QAInfo

DOS

Another writer once told me QAInfo is the most comprehensive source of PC configuration information. Along with QAPlus, it has been known as a technician's tool rather than a home computer jockey's workhorse.

performs basic analysis of file structure and analyzes the disk surface. If it finds disk surface errors, it can move the data to a safe

The times

part of the disk.

are changing.

This Microsoft diagnostic tool for

6.2 utility

is

a basic

hard disks and floppies.

It

Hardware manufacturers often seek DiagSoft's expertise in software rather than investing their resources. This makes DiagSoft's programmers among the best at diagnostic programs. DiagSoft's programs cover

more hardware than any program

I

have used.

QAPlus This program runs diagnostics and burns in your computer for you. The burn-in portion

SpinRite

Research developed a program that can actually read and recover data that DOS thinks is gone forever. This inexpensive program is a must. Its use in a DOS environment is

Gibson

unquestionably the best for finding, moving,

and restoring

lost data.

133

•

DIAGNOSTIC SOFTWARE

user

The

alike.

system

information utility is simple and fun to use and provides comprehensive information.

The Troubleshooter AllMicro has an inexpensive diagnostic program that allows you to bypass your computer's normal boot routine. It thoroughly tests all hardware and allows you to print the results. If you have software conflicts you can eliminate the hardware as the cause with this program.

What's-In-That-Box Napier has created the ultimate PC tutor. He describes entertainingly the intricate goings on inside the case of your computer. More of an educational tool than a utility, this program gives the user an enjoyable trip through the inner workings of a PC. The program is available on CompuServe, just GO PCFF. Jeff

This

WinSleuth program, available

alternative.

guys do

It

performs

all

133

TUNING AND OPTIMIZATION

SYSCHK This shareware program, available from < www.syschk.com > is an easy-to-use diagnostic program for the beginner and

experienced

•

is

a

onto the existing configuration file. Make certain you rename the saved file the same as

file

the original

file

you are

replacing.

Second, review the performance tricks at the end of Chapter 6. Utilize any that apply to your system and expect some increased speed and flexibility from your system.

Third, run memmaker, a DOS-based program, to increase the available DOS (or at

low-cost

the tests the big

at a fraction of the cost.

WinProbe The Landmark makes

you have purchased any one of the good diagnostic programs mentioned, you have the necessary tools to keep your computer in top operating shape. Here are a few tips on how to do what is necessary. First, create backup copies of your CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. Use the technique mentioned in Chapter 8. Do the same with your WIN. INI and SYSTEM.INI files. Again, Chapter 8 gives real-life examples for you to follow. Write down the names of the backup files and keep them in a safe place. This will allow you to get moving again if a new program adds a conflicting line to any of your configuration files. To recover from a problem affecting any configuration file, just copy the saved backup If

low)

memory

available to

DOS

and certain

Windows programs. your diagnostic program program of your choosing) to perform a disk optimization on your hard disk. Select the option that allows you to optimize directories first and files second. This way, when your computer tells the hard drive to find Finally, utilize

(the

Company the burn-in

program I like best. You can select as many tests as you like and run them as many times as you like. This program is tops in the documentation department, and many companies like the technician form printout with the diagnostic information and a signature block. These programs are but a small sample of what is available, mentioned because I have experienced them or had positive input from other users. You must select the programs that suit you best. When you find one that suits you, expend the money to keep it current by upgrading and you will have a friend for life.

programs, they are in one contiguous track or series of tracks.

Optimization takes the pieces of files scattered over the disk surface and places them in sequential order on your hard drive. This means the hard drive travels a smaller distance to load programs into memory for utilization by the computer. Obviously, this saves time and wear and tear on your harddisk assembly. It also cleans up fragmented files and returns your computer to optimal operating performance. Optimize your hard drive several times a year.

Other Things

You Will Need When I prepared quotes on computer systems for this book several weeks ago, the going price for 128 MB of RAM was $18. I could get it for around $15, but I did not believe it would be fair to quote prices not easily available. Today I found an advertisement in one of the magazines

listed in this

of 168-pin

PC

MB

chapter with a price for 128 100 DIMM for less than $10. Not believing

checked out some of my local component vendors. Sure enough, their advertising

the reduction in price,

I

literature indicated similar reductions in price.

There

is

one certainty in computer and component

prices: They always go down.

This chapter is devoted to where the home computing industry is going and how you and I will be affected, both as consumers and proficient upgrade specialists. If you are reading this chapter, I'll bet you know more about building and upgrading computers than 99.9 percent of the other consumers. My wild guesses are based on trends I have observed and hardware I have gotten my hands on. Some of these factors are good indications of the future in home computing. We are in for an E-ticket ride if I am even

on my predictions. Most of the advances

close

affecting computers will occur

You can expect increased functionality from printers, fax machines, and modems. Other improvements will occur in motherboard technology as even faster bus speeds and microprocessors become available. in the peripheral devices.

135

136

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

Speaking of microprocessors, expect sneakier processing schemes. For example, the

Pentium Pro (Intel's boy wonder) uses a trick to change x86 (or complex instructions) into reduced instruction sets. RISC sets can be run in parallel. This makes the Pentium Pro a RISC microprocessor after all, even though externally it looks like a CISC CPU. The Pentium 3 and 4 have the best of both! Complex instruction set microprocessors are the type you already are familiar with. They include everything from the Pentium 4 on down to the 286. The section of Chapter 1 on motherboards gives a detailed description of the differences

between CISC and RISC

processors and systems.

Even the

fastest microprocessor

is

limited

by external bus speed, commonly called the motherboard clock speed. Look for vast improvements here to get the most out of the faster processors. Example: A Pentium 4, 2 GHz processor sitting on a 100 MHz bus performs no better than a Pentium 4, 1.5 GHz

MHz

bus or CPU clock. For the short term, rather than change motherboard architecture most CPUs will probably increase internal cache size. The Pentium 4 has the L2, or secondary cache, built into the chip already, which is one reason it is so fast. The new Pentium microprocessors from Intel have already doubled the Pentium's internal cache size from that of a year or so ago. The trace cache has already increased to six times the size of the Pentium 3. Let's examine some of these future processor using a 133

additions in

more

detail.

MMX

I've mentioned the addition of technology to the Pentium line, but what it

is

exactly?

MMX added which

is

a set of additional instructions

to the existing Pentium's instruction set, is

designed to accelerate operations that

commonly occur during multimedia tasks. What this means from the computer user standpoint

is

a considerable increase in speed

and data throughput

in these areas.

The benefits from these instructions go beyond the games and presentation graphics normally thought of as unused by the casual

136

•

many programs use calculations commonly thought of as multimedia-related. Some of the tasks that will see the 50 to

user, since so

100 percent improvement are MPEG video, speech recognition, modem conferencing, all audio processing, and both 2-D and 3-D image processing. The casual user with an office suite will see

improvement, as will the heavy game player. Some of the updated programs, such as Microsoft Office and Macromedia Director, will provide eight times significant

MMX

the execution speed with this processor update.

The coming year will see Intel and other microprocessor developers refine

MMX

technology to their entire product line. Intel is already incorporating technology in the

MMX

Pentium

processor

II

line.

The software

developers are already taking advantage of the additional instruction sets in

new

revisions of

programs and all new releases. Last year I got my first look at an experimental CD-ROM drive that can read existing

two-sided

CD-ROM

disks. It

was about twice

the size of the existing CD-ROM drive, two 5.25-inch bays in a tower-style

requiring

why? CDROM drives exist that can handle six or more CD-ROM disks. The access time is at least 52X case.

The

first

on the ones double-sided I

I

thing

I

wondered

is

have used. This system makes a

CD-ROM

disk unnecessary, or so

thought.

The sided

real reason for research into double-

CD-ROM

drives

is

not just for reading

the disks, but also for writing to them.

With

the drives rapidly approaching the access times of some hard disks, it is only a matter of time before a double-sided CD-ROM writer replaces your floppy or hard disk. With CDROM writer media at or below the cost of a tape cartridge, the CD-R will become the

standard for backup systems. Do you really need a floppy disk in this case? I think not. The drive I looked at had a different method of data storage than conventional CDROM drives. A typical drive reads data in one continuous track, starting at the inside of the CD and spiraling outward; this one-track recording method was not utilized in the new

137

drive.

OTHER THINGS YOU WILL NEED

•

The new drive stored data exactly

like a

hard disk, in concentric tracks. Obviously, this type of CD-ROM drive is not intended to replace the existing type, just as VHS never intended to replace BETA. The real future in CD-ROM technology is limited by laser color. The higher frequency of

can be used, the closer together the data can be packed. This is because a higher frequency of light has a smaller wavelength. Samsung has a green laser that can store more than 100 minutes of MPEG video on one side light that

you are counting, that is about five times the current amount. The blue laser currently being worked on will more than double that storage to about 3 GB for the green laser and more than 6 GB for of a laser disk. If

the blue.

Some to

laser disk drives

have onboard cache

speed up access times. Look for larger

200-MB range

caches, probably in the 100- to

few years. A CD-ROM with a large cache will be faster than a hard disk performing the same operations. By now you know color laser printers are available. They are extremely expensive currently, but so were color ink-jet printers in the next

when

I

got one. Soon, color laser printers will

be in the $500 range or less. (I have a special gift. I will go out and buy something when I think the price has bottomed out, only to have it drop 50 percent in price as I walk to the car with my new purchase. People hire me to buy things so they can get a good price after I

make my purchase. And threatening to

The

buy

modem

I

have been

a color laser printer.)

in

your computer

is

another

improvement in the next Since the advent and increasing

area slated for vast

year or so.

popularity of cable and DSL, modems running at 10 Mbps, the 56K bps modems are rapidly approaching obsolescence. Internet cable will obsolete them unless something even faster does. For those unfamiliar with ISDN, the integrated services digital network is the digital alternative to your analog phone line. It replaces your analog phone line and modem with a digital system. Though the two copper

•

137

wires coming out the back of your computer look not unlike standard phone cables, they are capable of up to 1 megabit transmission rates with 8:1 compression. Many phone lines are already ISDN compatible since Ma Bell has been so influential in bringing out and supporting ISDN-ready cables. If your area is compatible, the only costs are a one-time setup fee (refunded after two years) and the modem.

Now

Your that can

for the really fast alternative.

computer has an interface in it probably communicate at 300K to 644K

bits

per second. It is your parallel printer port. The next generation of communications packages will make use of this port and your cable network. Parallel communication over video channels is being experimented with today, and serial communication over satellite is available already with 10 megabit speed. Expect communications speeds in the 100 MB per second rate soon. Note the emphasis

on

byte.

Parallel

communication,

as

you

remember, uses multiple lines to transfer data, so you can multiply existing speeds by at least a factor of eight.

Other communications breakthroughs to expect are digital cellular phones with modems embedded in notebook computers. Expect to be able to rent a system like this at airports when you pick up your rental car. No reason to buy if you only use the thing when traveling or on vacation. Look for portable computers like this to continue to shrink in size considerably and to run on smaller batteries. CPU speeds will not be the fastest on such a system, but power consumption will be minimized. As speech recognition becomes more commonplace, the need for a keyboard will be lessened. My wife talks to her computer all the time and it does exactly what she tells it to do, just like me.

The Chinese proverb "If you tell me, I will you show me, I will see. /If you let me

listen. /If

experience, I will learn." describes the importance of VRML (virtual reality modeling language) in the standardization of 3-D simulations for use on the Internet. As modem

138

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

•

speeds increase, the Internet will become a

installation to be 3

home

This, of course,

system,

tutorial

tremendously

which

will

aid

bedridden and homebound students. Interactive training already exists on CD-ROM. In the "what will they come up with next" department, I want to talk a bit about the DVD player. This system, primarily designed for video playback, has found its way into the in instruction of

GB

of

MPEG

be able

2 video.

The

players will be double-sided and doublelayered, similar to a floppy disk drive's architecture. They will be able to copy a disk on the fly, as you are viewing it. The transfer rates have to be at least 3.3 meg per second to provide the 24X performance specified. This drive, unlike the one I mentioned previously, will be compatible with existing CD-ROM technology. The players have been available since 1997 at about $300 and recorders are now available. Motherboard innovations are coming up to speed. I read an advertisement recently about a dual Pentium 4 motherboard with 1 MB of cache. It had onboard RAID hard-disk control included. The motherboard price, without either

CPU was

$175.

Motherboard bus speed significantly in the next

few

will increase

more speed from

the bus?

how do you

With

fiber optic

bus interconnections. They are proven in highspeed analog computers, and some special purpose single-board computers used in industrial applications. This will require expensive retooling and innovative bus design, but will be necessary to break the 3 GHz barrier for

CPU

speed.

Back to the price of RAM. This single element of your computer will become a turning point

Look

if

assumes

the price descends significantly.

RAM installations in RAM installations today

for larger

computers. Typical are 128 and 256 MB.

I

expect a typical

RAM

RAM

of 2002.

prices will

These are a few predictions based on what have seen. I know based on past performance that it will always be much cheaper to build your own computer and perform your own upgrades. Some things I

never change. lists

of periodicals

available with advertisements on computer parts and accessories. You will also find a list of free magazines. Be sure you enhance your

on the questionnaire in order to ensure a free subscription. A list of catalogs that provide computer parts and accessories wraps up this chapter. Please review the notes on the next page regarding Internet connection speeds and performance. Let's talk a bit about Internet connection speeds. Please review the following chart for an indication of connection speeds compared to the 56K modem speed of 54K bits per second (bps). Pricing is another story. It is safe to say that networking pricing is one of the most variable things going on in the world today. The two most common methods of interconnection with full authorization, are qualifications

priced as follows:

The newer

years.

processors will force the issue, but get

by the end

Following this page are

(digital versatile disks) will

to hold about 17

GB

continue to decline.

computer market.

DVDs

138

$

usually connection is Modem 19.95/month and cable access with full

permission is typically $39.95 if you have your own cable modem and Ethernet card, and $49.95 otherwise.

DSL

is

broken down

a bit differently.

Unlimited dial-up usually costs $ 14.95/month. Home DSL runs $49. 95/month, while business DSL is $99. 95/month. A usage-based T1 line goes for $ 100/month. Wireless megabit DSL is going for $250/month, and a dedicated T1 line can cost up to $850/month. Needless to say, the cost of the entire computer could pale considerably when measured against the high cost for light speed

on the

Internet.

INTERNET CONNECTION SPEED COMPARISON CHART Speed

Description

Carrier

Comments

Physical

Medium

Technology Dial-up Access

On-demand a

modem

telephone

2,400 bps

access using

and regular

to

56K bps

Twisted pair (regular

phone

lines)

Available throughout most of the U.S. Cheap but slow compared with other technologies. Speed

line.

to the

ISDN

64K bps 128K bps

Dedicated telephone line

and router required.

amount

may

Not available throughout the U.S. but becoming more widespread.

Twisted pair

to

An ISDN

line costs slightly

than a regular telephone

Cable

Special cable

and cable

modem

512K bps 52K bps

line required.

to

Coaxial cable; in for

upstream

requests.

ADSL Asymmetric

This Digital

Subscriber Line

new

512K bps

technology uses

the unused digital portion

to 8

Mbps

information.

Twisted pair (used as adigital,

broadband medium)

of a regular copper telephone line to transmit

and receive

ADSL

asymmetric since

receives

Mbps per second but can only send data at 64K bps. A special modem and adapter card are required. at 6 to 8

Wireless (LMCS)

Access is gained by connection to a high speed

2

Mbps

or

existing cable access in area. Cost of bringing service into an area and trenching cable can be prohibitive. Networkable.

Doesn't interfere with normal telephone use. Bandwidth is dedicated, not shared as with cable. Bandwidth is affected by the distance from the network hubs.

Must be within 5 km (3.1 miles) of telephone company switch. Limited availability across the U.S. Only available at a few urban regions at present. Not networkable.

is

it

more

line.

some Must have

cases telephone lines

used

degrade due

of line noise.

Airwaves. Requires outside antenna.

more

cellular like local multi-point

communications system (LMCS) network via wireless

Still in the early test stages. In theory it's capable of super speeds of 10 Mbps or more. Can be used for high speed data,

broadcast

TV and wireless telephone service.

transmitter/receiver. Satellite

400K bps

The computer sends request for information to an ISP via normal phone

Airwaves. Requires outside antenna.

which could lead to integrated TV and Internet service using the same equipment and WebTV-like integrated Services. Service is one-way with a slow

dial-up communications

and data

returned via high rooftop dish, which relays it to the computer via a decoder box.

speed

Frame Relay

is

satellite to

Fractional T1 (Flexible DS1)

modem,

Only a portion

or a

of the

23

64K bps to 1.544

Mbps

May cost less

Twisted-pair or coaxial cable

Cheaper than a full T1 line with growth options of 56K bps or 64K bps increments as required.

Twisted-pair,

Typically used for high bandwidth

coaxial cable,

demands such

line is actually used.

Special lines and

1.544

Mbps

equipment (DSU/CSU and router) required.

T3

Various

Mbps

Typically used for ISP

44.736

Mbps

or optical fiber

as videoconferencing and heavy graphic file transfers. Many large businesses and ISP use Tl. Expensive.

Optical fiber

Very

to Internet infrastructure.

OC-1

Typically used for ISP

51.84

Mbps

Optical fiber

to Internet infrastructure

within Internet infrastructure.

OC-3

Typically used for large

company backbone Internet backbone.

or

than ISDN in some locations. Limited availability across the U.S.

DSU/CSU.

channels available in a

T1

T1

uplink speed. Requires an Internet service account. Phone line is busy while online.

Provides a type of 56K bps "party line" connection to to 1.544 the Internet. Requires a FRAD (Frame Relay Access Device) similar to a

Bandwidth is not shared. Satellite companies are set to join the fray soon,

155.52

Mbps

Optical fiber

large bandwidth. Extremely expensive and complex.

A Appendix

COMPUTER MAGAZINES CD-ROM Here is a list of magazines that cater to the computer-oriented individual. There are many others,

and you

will

you read several of

become aware

of

them

if

Professional

462 Danbury Rd. Wilton, CT 06897-2126

these.

Audio Forum 96 Broad Street Guilford, CT 06437 Black Box Corp. P.O. Box 12800 Pittsburgh, PA 15241

Compute! P.O. Box 3245 Harlan, IA 51593-2424 ComputerCraft 76 N. Broadway Hicksville, NJ 11801-9962

Computer Currents Byte Magazine P.O. Box 558 Hightstown, N] 08520

Computer Graphics World P.O. Box 122

CD-I World P.O. Box 1358

ME

Camden,

Tulsa,

Multimedia 720 Sycamore Street Columbus, IN 47201

CD-ROM Today Box 51478

Boulder,

CO

OK

74101-9966

04843-1358

CD-ROM

P.O.

5720 Hollis Street CA 94608

Emeryville,

80321-1478

Computer Pictures Montage Publishing,

Inc.

701 Winchester Ave. White Plains, NY 10604

Computer Shopper P.O. Box 51020 Boulder,

CO

80321-1020

142

•

BUILD, UPGRADE, AND REPAIR

Computer World P.O. Box 2044 Marion,

OH

43306-2144

YOUR COMPUTER

718 University Avenue, Suite 112 Los Gatos, CA 95030-9958

LAN

Mt. Morris, IL 61054-7902

Boulder,

Imaging

Micro Publishing 21150 Hawthorne Boulevard #104 Torrance, CA 90503

142

Kidsoft Magazine

Desktop Video World P.O. Box 594

Digital

•

P.O.

Magazine Box 50047

CO

80321-0047

Microcomputer Journal Classified Department 76 N. Broadway Hicksville,

NY

11801

Digital

Video Magazine P.O. Box 594 Mt. Morris, IL 61054-7902

Micro Times Magazine 5951 Canning Street Oakland, CA 94609

Electronic Musician

Musician's Friend

P.O.

Box 41525

Nashville,

TN

37204-9829

High Color Box 1347

P.O.

Camden,

Home

ME

04843-9956

and Studio Recording

Music Maker Pub. 7318 Topanga Cyn Boulevard, Suite 200 Canoga Park, CA 91303

P.O. Box 4520 Medford, OR 97501

Nuts and Volts 430 Princeland Court Corona, CA 91719-1343

Open Computing P.O.

Box 570

Hightstown, NJ 08520-9328

PC Computing

Home

P.O.

P.O.

Boulder,

Office Computing Box 51344

Boulder,

CO

Box 50253

CO

80321-0253

80321-1344

PC Magazine Imaging Magazine 1265 Industrial Highway Southampton, PA 18966

P.O.

Box 51524

Boulder,

CO

80321-1524

PC Novice Insight Direct, Inc. 1912 W. 4*h Street

P.O.

Box 85380

Lincoln,

NE

68501-9807

Tempe, AZ 85281

PC Today Box 85380

International Spectrum

P.O.

10675 Treena Street, Suite 103 San Diego, CA 92131

Lincoln,

NE

68501-5380

PC World Magazine Internet P.O.

Box 713

Mt. Morris, IL 61054-9965

P.O.

Box 51833

Boulder,

CO

80321-1833

143

•

APPENDIX A

•

143

CD-ROM News

PRE8340 Mission Road, Number 106 Prairie Village, KS 66206

462 Danbury Road Wilton, CT 06897-2126

Publish!

Client/Server

PO. Box 51966

CO

Boulder,

80321-1966

Extra

Computing

Sentry Publishing Co. 1900 W. Park Drive 01581-3907 Westborough,

MA

Video Magazine PO. Box 56293 Boulder, CO 80322-6293

Videomaker Magazine PO. Box 469026 Escondido,

CA

92046

Communications News 2504 Tamiami Trail N. Nokomis, FL 34275 Communications Week P.O. Box 2070 Manhasset, NY 11030

Voice Processing Magazine

PO. Box 6016 Duluth,

MN 55806-9797

Computer Design P.O. Box 3466 Tulsa,

OK

74101-3466

Windows Magazine PO. Box 58649

CO

Boulder,

80322-8649

Computer Products P.O. Box 14000 Dover, NJ 07801-9990

MAGAZINES THAT ARE FREE TO QUALIFIED SUBSCRIBERS Advanced Imaging 445 Broad Hollow Road Melville,

NY

11747-4722

Computer Reseller News P.O. Box 2040 Manhasset,

NY

Computer System News 600 Community Drive

NY

Automatic ID News PO. Box 6158 55806-9870 Duluth,

Manhasset,

AV Video

Los Angeles,

MN

Production

and Presentation Technology 701 Winchester Avenue White Plains, NY 10604

Beyond Computing 1133 Westchester Avenue White Plains, NY 10604

11030

11030

Computer Tech. Review 924 Westwood Blvd. #65

CA

90024

Computer Telephony Box 40706 Nashville, TN 37204-9919 P.O.

Data Communications P.O. Box 477 Hightstown, NJ 08520-9362

California Business

PO. Box 70735 Pasadena,

CA

91117-9947

Designfax P.O. Box 1151 Skokie, IL 60076-9917

144

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

Document Management & Windows Imaging 8711

E.

Pinnacle Peak Road, # 249

Scottsdale

AZ 85255

•

144

Lasers and Optronics

301 Gibraltar Drive Morris Plains, NJ 07950

EE Product News PO. Box 12982 Overland Park, KS 66212

Machine Design PO. Box 985015

Electronic Design

Managing Office Technology 1100 Superior Avenue

PO. Box 985007 Cleveland, OH 44198-5007 Electronic Mfg.

PO. Box 159 Libertyville, IL

60048

Electronic Publish

&

Print

Clark Street Chicago, IL 60605-9960 650

S.

Electronics

PO. Box 985061 Cleveland, OH 44198 Federal

Computer Week

PO. Box 602 Winchester,

MA 01890

Cleveland,

Cleveland,

OH 44198-5015

OH 44197-8092

Manufacturing Systems PO. Box 3008 Wheaton, IL 60189-9972 Medical Equipment Designer 29100 Aurora Road, Number 200 Cleveland, OH 44139

Micro Publishing News 21150 Hawthorne Boulevard, #104 Torrance, CA 90503 Mini-Micro Systems PO. Box 5051 Denver, CO 80217-9872

Identification Journal

Mobile Office

2640 N. Halsted Street Chicago, IL 60614-9962

Subscriptions Department

ID Systems PO. Box 874 Peterborough,

NH

03458

Imaging Business Phillips Business Info PO. Box 61130 20897-5915 Potomac,

MD

InfoWorld PO. Box 1172 Skokie, IL

60076

PO. Box 57268 Boulder,

CO

Modern

Office Technology

80323-7268

1100 Superior Avenue Cleveland, OH 44197-8032 Mr.

CD-ROM

MAXMEDIA Dist.

Inc.

PO. Box 1087 Winter Garden, FL 34787

Network World 161 Worcester Road Framingham, MA 01701

LAN Times 122 E. 1700 S. Provo, UT 84606

Network Computing P.O. Box 1095 Skokie, IL 60076-9662

145

•

APPENDIX A

•

145

Management

Network Journal

Reseller

600 Harrison Street San Francisco, CA 94107

Box 601 Morris Plains, NJ, 07950

New

Robotics World

Media Magazine P.O. Box 1771 Riverton, NJ 08077-7331

6255 Barfield Road Atlanta, GA 30328-9988

Office Systems

Scientific

P.O. Box 3116 Woburn, MA 01888-9878

301 Gibraltar Drive Morris Plains, NJ 07950

Office Systems Dealer

Software Magazine Westborough Office Park 1900 W. Park Drive

Box 2281 Woburn, MA 01888-9873 P.O.

Computing

Westborough,

MA 01581-3907

PC Week Box 1770 Riverton, NJ 08077-7370 P.O.

Sun Expert P.O. Box 5274 Pittsfield,

Photo Business 1515 Broadway

New

York,

NY

Surface

10036

P.O.

MA 01203-9479

Mount Technology

Box 159

Libertyville, IL

The Programmer's Shop 5 Pond Park Road Hingham, MA 02043-9845 Quality P.O. Box 3002 Wheaton, IL 60189-9929

60048

STACKS Box 5031 Brentwood, TN 37024-5031 Skokie, IL 60076-9662

P.O.

Appendix

RESOURCES ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

Aspen

AST Astro Research

BIOS

AMI Award

Axil

www. amibios. com www.award.com

www.firmware.com Mr. Bios (Microid Research) www.mrbios.com Phoenix www.ptltd.com Micro Firmware

Chipsets Intel

OPTi SiS

UMC VIA Tech VLSI

Winbond

www.intel.com www.opti.com www.sis.com.tw

www.umc.com.tw www.via.com.tw www.vlsi.com

www.winbond.com

Be

Acer Acorn

ALR Amiga

AMS Apache Apple

Appro Apricot Aris

www.acer.com www.acorn.com.uk www.alr.com www.amiga.de www.amsnote.com www.apache.com www.apple.com www.appro.com www.apricot.com.uk www.aris.com.sg

www.be.com

Chicony

www.bull.com www.chicony.com

Compaq

www. Compaq .com

Bull

Convex

www.convex.com

Daystar Digital Data General Datalux

www.daystar.com

Dell Digital

Dolch Encore Epson Everex

Gateway

Computers

www.aspsys.com www.ast.com www.astronote.com www.axil.com

HAL HP IBM Integrix

Intergraph

Jepssen Magitronic

Micron Mitsuba

NEC Next

www.dg.com www.datalux.com www.dell.com

www.dec.com www.dolch.com www.encore.com www.epson.com www.everex.com www.gw2k.com www.hal.com www.hp.com www.pc.ibm.com www.integrix.com www.intergraph.com

www. vol

.

it/j

epssen/

www.magitronic.com www.mei.micron.com www.mitsuba.com www.nec.com www.next.com

148

Newchip

•

BUILD, UPGRADE, AND REPAIR

www.newchip.i www.nimantics.com

YOUR COMPUTER

Mylex

Olidata

www.olidata.it

NCR New Media

Olivetti

www.olivetti.it

Pathlight

Nimantics

Packard Bell Panasonic

www.packardbell.com www.panasonic.com www.polywell.com

Polywell

Power Computing Pyramid

www.powercc.com www.pyramid.com www.rdi.com www.ross.com www. Samsung com www.sequent.com www.sgi.com

RDI Ross

Samsung

.

Sequent Silicon Graphics

Promise Qlogic Specialix

Symbios Tandy Tekram

TURBOstor Tyan

Winbond Z-World

www. sel

Sony

.

sony. com

www.stratus.com

Stratus

Swan Technologies Tadpole

www.swantech.com www.tadpole.com

www. tandy. com

Tandy

www.tera.com www.toshiba.com www.win.net/xi_comp

Tera

Toshiba XI Zenith

www.zds.com

Atronics Berkshire Buslogic

Byterunner Centennial

CMD Comtrol Crestor

www.acecad.com ACT Lab Advanced Input Advanced Gravis Alps Electric

BTC Calcomp

CFX www.adaptec.com

www.eden.com www. advansys. com www.advantech.com www.megaraid.com www.atronicsintl.com

www.berkprod.com www.buslogic.com www.byterunner.com www.cent-tech.com

www.cmd.com www.comtrol.com www.crestor.com

DataHand Systems Datalux Eurgonics Evergreen Exos

www.adaptec.com www.gtek.com

Jag Tech Kernel

Iwill

www.infotrend.com.tw www.initio.com www.itwill.com

www.calcomp.com www.casco.com www.cfx.com.au

www.chicony.com www.cybernet.com www.datahand.com www.datalux.com

www. eurgonics. com www.trackballs.com

www.exos.com www.gefen.com www.genius-kye.com

Dynatek

www.dpt.com

www.actlab.com www.advanced-input.com www.gravis.com www. alpusa .com www.btc.com.tw

www.focustaipei.com.tw

Infogrip

Initio

www.tekram.com www.genroco.com www.tyan.com www.winbond.com.tw www.zworld.com

Gefen Genius Genovation

www. datatechnology. com www. zstarr. com/dynatek/

Infotrend

support.tandy.com

Focustaipei

The Glove

Gtek

www.symbios.com

www. contour des. com

www.digibd.com

Future Domain

www.specialix.co.uk

www. chproducts. com

Inti.

DPT DTC

www.promise.com www.qlc.com

CH

Glidepoint

Digi

www.pathlight.com

Chicony Contour Cybernet

www. cyclades. com

Cyclades

www.mylex.com www.ncr.com www.newmediacorp.com

Input Devices Acecad

Casco Controllers and I/O Adaptec

AMI

148

www.siliconrax.com

Siliconrax

Advance Storage Advansys Advantech

•

Gyration Interlink Electronics

Keytronic Kurta Left-Handed

www. genovation com .

www.glidepoint.com www.theglove.com www.gyration.com www.infogrip.com www.interlinkelec.com www.clearlight.com

www.kernel.com www.keytronic.com

www.mutoh.com www.lefthanded.com

149

www.memtron.com

Memtron

www. micr osoft .com

Microsoft

www.microspeed.com www.mitsumi.com www.unipac-usa.com www.mousesystems.com www.mousetrak.com

Microspeed Mitsumi Mouse Burger Mouse Systems Mouse Trak

Mutoh

NMB No Hands Mouse Polytel

Primax Sejin

Sicos

Spacetec

Sysgration

Tandy Texas Ind. Periph

Thrustmaster

www.synaptics.com

www. sysgration com www. support tandy. com WAArw.ikey.com aatww. thrustmaster. com

wrww.superpen.com

Wireless Computing

www.usar.com wrww.mbws.com wTww.wacom.com www.cpgs.com

Memory Centron Century Cypress Dallas

Hsin Lin

Hyundai IDT Jaton Kingston

Memtron Micro Memory Micron Memory Newer Technology Nutek

www.rambus. com www.minden.com www.simpletech.com

Rambus Simm Expander Simple Technology

www. sony. com

Sony

www.visiontech.com

Visiontech

Microprocessors

AAWw.amd.com

www. analog .com

Analog

waatw. arm

com

www.cyrix.com

Cyrix Evergreen Tech

AAww.evertech.com AAWW.kingston.com

Kingston

www.idt.com www.intel.com \AWW.ibm.com AAWW.mot.com

IDT Intel

IBM Motorola

www. nexgen com

Nexgen

Quantum

.

.

Effect Design

SGS-Thomson Texas Instruments

AAww.qedinc.com AAww.st.com wAAw.ti.com

www. zilog com

Zilog

.

.

.

U&C Wacom

AAWW.pny.com

ARM

www.trust.box.nl

USAR

PNY

www.footmouse.com

Trust

Vector

149

•

AMD

www.am-group.com www.summagraphics.com www.supermouse.com www.symmedia.com

Synaptics

B

www.mutoh.com www.nmbtech.com www.paleltec.com www.polytel.com www.primax.nl www.sejin.com www.sicos.com www.spacetec.com www.spec-research.com

Paneltec

Summagraphics Supermouse Sym Media

APPENDIX

www.logitech.com

Logitech

Spec Research Star Trak

•

Modems and FAX Ace ex Aetherworks

www.aceex.com AATww.aetherworks.com

Amquest Anchor Apex Data

WAAw.amquest.com AAWw.anchor.nl WAAw.warrior.com

Angia Archtek Askey

www.angia.com www.arctek.com.tw

Asuscom

aatww. asuscom

aatww. askey. com .

tw

AT&T www.centron.com AAWW.century.micro.com

www.cypress.com www.dalsemi.com www.hsinlin.com.tw

www.hea.com www.idt.com AATww.jaton.com

AAWw.kingston.com

AAWW.memtron.com www. micromemory, com AAww.micron.com

WAAW.paradyne.att.com Banksia Best Data

Boca Research Cardinal

Com

21

Comcorp Communicate Creatix

Digicom Systems

Neuhaus

www.banksia.com

WAAW.bestdata.com AATww.bocaresearch.com wAAW.cardtech.com

www. com2 1 com .

AAww.comcorp.com.au www.commuicate.co.uk AAWW.creatix.com AAWW.digicomsys.com

Echo

WAAW.neuhaus.com wAAW.echousa.com

AATww.newertech.com

Eiger Labs

AAWW.eigerlabs.com

AAWW.nutekmen.com

Elebra

www.elebra.com.br

Dr.

150

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

www.e-tech.com www.expnet.com www.gammalink.com www.hwgavi.com www.genoasys.com www.hayes.com

E-Tech

EXP Gammalink Gavi

Genoa Hayes

www.intertex.se

Intertex

www.j-mark.com

J-Mark

KM Engineering

www.kme.com www.konexx.com

Konexx Logicode Maestro Max Link

www.logicode.com www.maestro.com.au www.askey.com

Maxtech Megahertz

www.maxcorp.com www.megahertz.com www.kct.com www.mot.com

Min Motorola Multitech

www.multitech.com www.netcom.com.au

Netcom

Newcom

www.newcominc.com www. novalinktech com

Novalink

.

Olitech Practical Peripherals

www.olitech.com www.practinet.com

Dacom www.psiondacom.com Quantum Data Systems www.quantum.co.uk Psion

Rockwell

RSA Sidin

Smart Line Spectrum

Tandy

TDK Telindus Trust

US

Robotics

Western Data

Wisecom Zentech Zoltrix

Zoom Zyxel

Barco

CTX Daewo Datalux

Daytek DIGIview Dotronix

EDL EIZO Hitachi

Hyundai

IBM Iiyama

KDS

MAG Magnavox Maxtech Miro Mitac

tandy. com

www.telindus.be www.trust.box.nl

www.usr.com www.western-data.com

www.wisecominc.com www.zentech.com www.xoltrix.com

www.zoomtel.com www.zyxel.com

www.datalux.com www.daytek.com

www. digi vew. com www.dotronix.com www.edldisplays.com www.eizo.co.jp

www.hitachi.com

www.hea.com www.pc.ibm.com www.iiyama.com www.kdsusa.com www.maginnovision.com

www. magnavox. com www. maxcorp com .

www.miro.com www.mitac.com www.mela-itg.com

NEC Nokia

No Rad Pacom

Princeton Graphics

.

www.ctxintl.com

www. daewo-display. com

www. traveller, com

www.queen.shiny.it

www.tdksystems.com

www.mindspring.com

Nanao

Panasonic

www. support

150

Mitsubishi

www.rockwell.com www.rsacode.com www.imete.it.com www.sprectumsignal.com

•

Philips Portrait

Radius

JVC Samsung Sceptre

Smile

Sony Tandy Tatung Taxan ViewSonic Visionmaster Wen Technology

Wyse

webserver.nectech.com

www.nokia.com www.noradcorp.com www.pacomdata.com www.panasonic.com www.philips.com www. portrtrait .com

www.prgr.com www.radius.com www.jvc.com www.sec.samsung.co.kr

www.gus.com www.smile.com.tw

www. sony. com www. support tandy. com www. tatung com tw .

.

.

www.taxan.com.uk www.viessonic.com

www.kom.com www.iiactive.com

www.wyse.com

Monitors Acer Acula

ADI

AOC

Spectrum Artmedia

AST

www.aci.acer.com

www.acula.com www.adi.com.tw www.aocltd.com www.artmedia.com www.ast.com

Motherboards Abit

www. abit com tw

Achme

www.achme.com

AIR

AMI Amptron

.

.

www.airwebs.com www.megatrends.com www.deltanet.com

151

•

APPENDIX B

A-Open

www.aopen.com.tw

Arvida Asustek

www.arvida.ca www.asustek.asus.com.tw www.biostar.net

Biostar

California Graphics

Chaintech DataExpert

DFI

ECS

Edom Epox FIC Free Tech (Pride)

Fugutech Gemlight

Audio Labs

Frontier Design

ESS

Goldstar Gravis

Technologies

In Focus

Microway

www.microway.com www.mitac.com.tw

Mitac

EFX

www.interactive-efx.com

Jazz Multimedia

www.ipctechinc.com w ww.j azzmm .com

Interactive

IPC

www.apricot.com.uk

Konton

M Technology

www.mtiusa.com www.Ocean-usa.com www.oceanhk.com www.pcchips.com

Koss Labtec Logicode MediaVision Mediatrix Minolta

Octek Pc Chips

www. qdigrp .com

QDI See Thru

www.seethru.com

www. spacewalker. com

Shuttle

www.soyo.de www.supermicro.com

Soyo SuperMicro Tyan

www. tyan .com www.vextrec.com www.zida.com

Vextrec

Zida

3DO 8x8 Acer

Advanced

Digital

Altec Lansing

NEC Newcom

NuReality

www.acer.com

Octek

www.altecmm.com

www. minolta com .

.

www.3d0.com www.8x8.com Systems www.ads-mm.com

www.kontron.com www.koss.com www.labec.com www.logicode.com www.mediavis.com www.mediatrix.com

Mitsumi www. mitsumi com Multimedia Labs 204.174.94.120 Multiwave www. multi wave .com Nakamichi www.nakamichicdrom.com

Nikon NSM Jukebox

Multimedia/CD- ROM

www.h45.com www.hitachi.com www.hsinlin.com.tw www.infs.com

Mitsubishi

Ocean

www.frontierdesign.com

www.gravis.com

Hitachi

www.micronics.com www.msi.com.tw

Microstar

www.digitalaudio.com

www.giltronix.com www.goldstar.co.kr

Giltronix

Hisi Lin

www.connectix.com www.coreco.com www.creaf.com www.teleport.com www.difusa.com

www.futurecho.com www.genius-kye.com

Futurecho Genius

megastar, kamtronic. com

.

www.ensoniq.com www.esstech.com

www.fugu.com.tw

H45

www. impact com

www.dycam.com

Ensoniq

www.jbond.com www.j-mark.com

Megastar (TMC) Micronics

DFI

www.fic.com.tw www.freetech.com

www.giga-byte.com www.intel.com www.iwill.com.tw

J

Chromatic Research Connectix Coreco Creative Labs Crystal Lake

Dycam

Gigabyte

Bond Mark

Casio

Digital

www.genoasys.com

J

BTC

www.epox.com

Genoa

Iwill (Side)

www.boffin.com www.btc.com.tw www.casio-usa.com

Boffin

www.calgraph.com www.bdcc-nl.com www. dataexpert .com www.dfiusa.com www.ecs.com.tw www.netindex.com

www.gemlight.co.tw

Intel

151

•

Ocean

Olympus OPTi

Animation Technologies www.lifeview.com.tw

Panasonic

Aria

ftp.wi.leidenuniv.nl

Philips

Aztech

www.aztechca.com

Pioneer

webserver.nectech.com

www.newcominc.com www.klt.co.jp

www. nsmj ukebox. com www. nur eality. com www.oceanusa.com www.oceanhk.com www.olympus.co.jp www.opti.com www.panasonic.com www.philips.com www.pioneer.co.uk

152

Plasmon Play Inc Plexor

Poloroid

Primax Reveal

Roland

Samsung

SC&T2 SIC

Sony SRS Labs Star Multimedia Taiwan Multimedia Tandy Teac Teac

(us)

Terratec

Toshiba

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

www.plasmon.com www.play.com www.plexor.com www.poloroid.com www.primax.nl www.reveal.com www.rolandus.com www.sec.samsung.co.kr www.platinumsound.com www.sicresource.com

www. sel

.

sony. com

www.srslabs.com www.starusa.com

www. tmi

.

com tandy. com

at-taiwan

.

support www.teac.co.jp .

www.teac.com www.terratec.com www.toshiba.com www.trust.box.nl

Trust

Beach

Turtle

Vertos

Vine Micros

Wearnes Willow

www.tbeach.com www.ecusa.com www.vinemicros.com www.asiabiz.com.sg

www.willow.com

Networking

Accton

www.adax.com www.adc.com

Adax

ADC Agile

www.sys.acc.com www.accton.com.tw

Networks

Alcatel Allied Telesyn

Amber Wave

AMP Apple Asante Ascend

AT&T Axis

Banyan Systems Bay Networks Black Box Boca Research Cabletron

www.agile.com www.and.alcatel.com www.allied-telesyn.cm

www.amberwave.com

www. amp .com www.apple.com www.asante.com www.ascend.com www.att.com www.axis.se

www.banyan.com www.baynetworks.com www.blackbox.com www.bocaresearch.com www. ctron .com

Cameo

www.cameo.com

Canary

www. canary net com .

152

www. cayman com .

Cellware

www.cellware.de

Chipcom

www.chipcom.com

Cisco

Cnet Cogent Data Compatible

Compex Connectware Cray Crosscom Cybex

Danpex Dayna Develcon

Diamond Chips

www.cisco.com www.cnet.com.tw www.cogentdata.com www.compatible.com

www.cpx.com www.conectware.com www.cray.com www.crosscom.com www.cybex.com www.danpex.com www.dayna.com www.develcon.com www. dchip com .

DPI

www.dlink.com www.dlink.com www.dgiprod.com

DTC

www. datatechnology. com

Digital

D-Link Systems

Dynatech Edimax Efficient Networks

www.dynatech.com www.edimax.com

Eicon

www. eicon com www. ethercom com

Ethercom Equinox Eversys

www. 3com .com

3Com ACC

Cayman

•

Extended Systems Farallon

Fastcom Fibronics

FORE

Systems Gandalf Global Village

Grand Junction Hewlett Packard

IBM ICL

IMC Interlan

Interphase Intel Jolt

Katron (KTI) Kentrox Klever

LANart Lantronix Linksys

www.efficient.com .

.

www.equnox.com www.eversys.com

www. extendsy s. com www.farallon.com

www.fastcom.com www.fibronics.co.il

www.fore.com www.gandalf.ca

www. global village, com www.grandjunction.com

www.hp.com www.ibm.com www.icl.com

www. imcnetworks. com www.interlan.com www.iphase.com www.intel.com www.jolt.co.il

www.ktinet.com www.kentrox.com www.klever.com

www. lanart com .

www.lantronix.com www.linksys.cm

153

Luxcom Madge Microcom

www.madge.com www.microcom.com www.mcdy.com

Microdyne

www.microplex.com www.gus.com www.morningstar.com www.multitech.com www.nbase.com www.netcorp.com www.netedge.com www.npix.com www.networth.com www.newbridge.com

Microplex Mitron Star

Multitech

Nbase NetCorp Net Edge Network Peripherals Networth Newbridge

NHC

www.nhc.com www. novell com www.ods.com www. olicom com

Novell

.

Optical Data Systems

Olicom OST SA

.

www.ost-us.com www.penril.com

Penril

www.pt.com

Performance Tech

www.plaintree.on.ca

Plaintree

www.plexcom.com www.proteon.com www.puredata.com

Plexcom Proteon

PureData Racal

Racore Raritan Retix

Rockwell Shiva Sonic Systems

APPENDIX B

www.longshin.com.tw www. luxcom .com

Longshine

Morning

•

www.racal.com www.racore.com www.raritan.com www.retix.com www.rns.rockwell.com www.shiva.com www.sonicsys.com

SMC Spider Stallion

Standard Microsystems

www.smc.com www. spider, com www.stallion.com

www.smc.com

•

153

www.xedia.com www.xircom.com www.xlnt.com

Xedia

Xircom

XLNT

www. xyl an c om

Xylan Xyplex

www.xyplex.com

Zeitnet

www.zeitnet.com

.

Printers Brother

www.brother.co.jp

Calcomp Canon

www.calcomp.com www.usa.canon.com www.citizen-america.com

Citizen

Epsom

www.fargo.com www.gcctech.com

GCC Genicom Hewlett Packard

IBM

www.kodak.com

Mannesmann

NEC OKI Okidata Olivetti Lexicon

Panasonic

Works

Samsung

Thomas Conrad

Sharp Star Micronics

Transition

www. transition com

Talaris

UB

www.ub.com www.webstercc.com www.whitetree.com www.whittaker.com

www.tally.com

www.micromcomp.com www. mutoh com .

webserver.nectech.com

www.syskonnect.de www.telebit.com www.telindus.com www.tci.com

Webster Whitetree Whittaker

Tally

Microcom Mutoh

Ricoh

www.tribe.com

www.lexmark.com

Lexmark

www.symplex.com

Tribe

www.kyocera.co.uk www.lasermaster.com

Kyocera Lasermaster

Printer

www.genicom.com www.hp.com www.can.ibm.com www.jrl.com

JRL Kodak

Symplex

.

www.excellink.com

Fargo

QMS

Telindus

www.dpc.com www.encad.com www.epsom.com

Excellink

www.startech.com

Telebit

www. costar, com

Encad

Startech

Syskonnect

www.nav.com

Colorocs CoStar Dataproducts

Seiko

Tandem Tandy Tektronix Texas Instruments Zerox

www.oki.com www.okidata.com

www. olive ttilolexicon com .

www.panasonic.com www.printerworks.com

www.qms.com www.ricohcorp.com www.samsung.com.kr www.cgg.seiko.com www.sharp-usa.com www.starmicronics.com www.talaris.com

www.tandem.com www. support tandy. com www.tek.com .

www.ti.com www.xerox.com

154

Scanners 3Dscanners Adara

•

BUILD, UPGRADE,

AND REPAIR YOUR COMPUTER

www.3dscanners.com www.adara.com www.agfa.com www.artecusa.com www.astronote.com

AGFA Artec Astro Research Avision Labs

www.avision-labs.com

Bantec Bell&Howell

Blackwidow Envisions

Epson Genius

154

FTP, Inc

www.ftp.com

Hewlett Packard Hewlett Packard FTP

www.hp.com

IBM

ftp-boi. external. HP.com

www. ibm com .

McAfee FTP Microsoft

.

Novel FTP

www.bti-ok.com www.bellhowell.com www.blackwidow.co.uk www.envisions.com

Next Symantec

www.epson.com

Ziff-Davis

ftp.mcafee.com www. micro soft com ftp.novell.com

www.lotus.com www.next.com

Lotus

www.symantec.com www.winsite.com www.ziff.com

Winsite

www.genius-kye.com

www.hp.com www.howtek.com

Hewlett Packard

Howtek

www.ideal.com

Ideal

www.imacon.com

Imacon Interactive

EFX

www.interactive-efx.com

Logitech

Lumina Microtek

Mustek Nikon Paktek Panasonic Plustek Polaroid

Primax Relisys

Ricoh SunRise Imaging

www.logitech.com

www.lumina2000.com

www. mteklab. com www. mustek com .

www.klt.co.jp

www.paktek.com www.Panasonic.com www.plustek.com www.polaroid.com www.primax.nl www.relisys.com

www. ricohcorp com www. sunriseimg com .

.

www.suvil.com www.trust.box.com

Suvil

Trust

Umax WordWand

Storage

3M

www.3m.com

Advanced Aiwa

Digital Info

Amdahl

Artecon Atronics

www. atronicsintl com

APS Technologies

Boxhill

Centennial Ciprico

Conner Cutting Edge

CRU Digi-Data Disctec

Borland Cnet Sorftare Library

CompuServe Digital

FTP

www. Conner, com www. cuttedge. com www.cruinc.com www.digidata.com www.disctec.com

ECCS

www.eccs.com

EMC

www.emc.com

Filetek

www.wordwand.com

Fujitsu

www.fujitsu.co.jp

Eurologic

Exabyte

H45 Technologies

www. 3com com www.adobe.com www.apple.com

IBM

ftp.autodesk.com

Intek

.

Apple Autodesk FTP Banyan Banyan FTP

.

www.boxhill.com www.cent-tech.com www.ciprrico.com

www.visioneer.com

Software

Adobe

www.amdahl.com www.andataco.com www.apstech.com www.artecon.com

Andataco

FWB 3Com

www.adic.com wwrw.aiwa.com

www.eurologic.com www.exabyte.com www.filetek.com

www.umax.com

Visioneer

Digital

•

www.banyan.com ftp.banyan.com

www.borland.com vsl.cnet.com

www.compuserve.com www.dec.com ftp

dec.com

Hitachi

HP

Colorado Storage

Iomega

www.fwb.com www.h45.com www.hitchi.com

www.hp.com www.almaden.ibm.com www.Intek.net

www.iomega.com

JVC

www.jvcservice.com

Maxtor Megadrive Micro Hut

www. maxtor. com www. megadrive, com

Micronet Micropolis

www.microhut.com www.micronet.com www.microp.com

155

Mindflight

MTI Optical Access

Optima Technology Panasonic Pinnacle

Procom Reveal Ricoh

Quantum Samsung

•

APPENDIX

www. mindflight .com

B

•

155

Storage Tech

www.mti.com www.oai.com

Syquest Tapedisk

www.optimatech.com www.panasonic.com www.pinnaclemicro.com

Tandberg Tandy Tecmar

www.procom.com

Texas Isa

www.reveal.com www.ricohcorp.com

Tri-Plex

www.quantum.com

Valitek

tongky.sec. Samsung. co. kr

Seagate

www.seagate.com

SonyStorage

www. mmmg com .

Toray

Western Digital Winchester Xyratek

www.stortek.com www.syquest.com www.tapedisk.com www.tandberg.com

www. support

.

tandy. com

www.tecmar.com www.texasisa.com www.toray.com www.triplex.com www.contagious.com

www.wdc.com www.winsys.com www.xyratek.com

Appendix

CATALOGS OF COMPUTERS, COMPONENTS, AND SOFTWARE

DTP

Direct

5198 W. 76 th Street Edina, 55439

MN

CompuClassics P.O. Box 10598 Canoga Park, CA 91309

Compute

Edmund

Ability

Global Computer Supplies 1 1 Harbor Park Drive Dept. 48 Port Washington, NY 11050

PO. Box 17882 Milwaukee,

WI 53217

Computers and Music 647 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94105

Global Office Products 1 1 Harbor Park Drive Dept. 30 Port Washington, NY 11050

DAMARK 7101 Winnetka Avenue N. P.O.

Scientific Co.

101 E. Gloucester Pike Barrington, NJ 08007-1380

Box 29900

Minneapolis,

MN 55429-0900

Hello Direct 5884 Eden Park Place

Data Cal Corp.

San Jose,

531 E. Elliot Road Chandler, AZ 85222-1152

IBM PC P.O.

CA

95138-1859

Direct

Box 12195

WN4

Dell Direct Sales

Bldg. 203/Dept.

11209 Metric Boulevard TX 78758-4093

Research Triangle Park,

Austin,

JDR Microdevices 2233 Samaritan Drive San Jose, CA 95124

Digi-key Corporation

701 Brooks Avenue Thief River Falls,

S.

MN 56701-0677 157

NC

27709-9767

158

•

BUILD, UPGRADE, AND REPAIR

YOUR COMPUTER

•

158

KidSoft Software Catalog

10275 N.

De Anza

Cupertino,

CA

Blvd.

95014

Presentations

Lakewood Building

MAILER'S Software

50 S. 9*k Street Minneapolis,

970 Calle Negocio San Clemente, CA 92673

Processor

MN 55402-9973

P.O.

Micro Warehouse 1720

Oak

Box 85518

Lincoln,

NE

68501

Street

Box 3014 Lakewood, NJ 08701-3014 P.O.

Momentum

Projections

Business Park Drive Branford, CT 06405

Graphics

16290 Shoemaker CA 90701-2243

Cerritos,

Queblo 1000 Florida Avenue Hagerstown, 21741

MD

Mr.

CD-ROM

P.O. Box 1087 Winter Garden, FL 34787

Multimedia World P.O. Box 58690 Boulder, CO 80323-8690

One Network

Software Labs 100 Corporate Pointe, #195 Culver City, CA 90230-7616

Soundware 200 Menlo Oaks Drive Menlo Park, CA 94025

Place

4711 Golf Road Skokie, IL 60076

South Hills Datacomm 760 Beechnut Drive Pittsburg, PA 15205

Paper Catalog

205 Chubb Avenue Lyndhurst, NJ 07071

TENEX

Computers 56800 Magnetic Drive Mishawaka, IN 46545

•Pasternak Enterprises P.O.

Box 16759

Irvine,

CA

92713

Tiger Software 800 Douglas Tower, 7^ Floor Coral Gables, FL 33134

PC Connection Tools For Exploration

6 Mill Street

Marlow,

NH 03456

4460 Redwood Highway, Suite 2 San Rafael, CA 94903

Personal Computing

90 Industrial Park Road Hingham, 02043

MA

Power Up! P.O. Box 7600 San Mateo,

CA

94403-7600

PrePress 11 Mt. Pleasant Avenue East Hanover, NJ 07936-9925

United Video and Computer 724 7 th Ave. New York, NY 10019

UnixReview P.O. Box 420035 Palm Coast, FL 32142-0035

buildupgraderepaOOharr buildupgraderepaOOharr

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